By Dayo Johnson Akure

The Management of the Federal University of Technology Akure Teaching Hospital has called for patience and cooperation from stakeholders as it works to transform the newly established institution into a fully functional teaching hospital.

In a statement by the hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Tope Fayehun, Chief Medical Director Prof. Olusegun Ojo said the commencement of biometric data capture for inherited staff by the IPPIS Directorate marked a key step in the transition process.

Ojo appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the establishment of the institution, and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for supporting the process that led to its creation.

He noted that while the hospital’s approval was a major milestone, building a world-class tertiary healthcare facility had only just begun.

“The management remains committed to implementing the Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Government and Ondo State Government to ensure the hospital develops into a full-fledged teaching institution,” Ojo said.

He explained that a teaching hospital is expected to provide specialised tertiary healthcare, train medical and allied health professionals, promote academic excellence, conduct research and serve as a centre for medical innovation.

The CMD said management is focused on strengthening institutional systems, improving infrastructure, developing qualified personnel, fostering academic partnerships and building structures for sustainable growth in healthcare delivery, teaching and research.

Ojo acknowledged concerns raised by some former UNIMED Teaching Hospital staff and labour leaders over workers yet to be captured in the ongoing IPPIS exercise.

He assured affected workers that their complaints had been noted and efforts were underway to resolve them in line with government procedures.

The CMD appealed for calm and constructive engagement, stressing that dialogue, mutual understanding and adherence to due process would address outstanding issues.

The management also urged the public to rely on official communication channels for updates and avoid unverified reports that could cause anxiety.

It commended traditional rulers, community leaders, lawmakers, development partners, healthcare professionals, civil society organisations, the media and Ondo State residents for actualising the long-standing aspiration for a federal teaching hospital in Akure.