Health

LUTH: How lack of communication is hampering operational activities

Published

3 years ago

October 21, 2022

News Net Global

LUTH: How lack of communication is hampering operational activities

By: James Bwala

Management is management they said, so workers often do not understand because certain communitions are kept only at the management level. However, while it should be certain communitions, there is the need for managers to make a difference and ensure needful communitions are made available to both clients and staff. In an institution like the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), the need to explain certain occasions both to staff and patients should be of paramount.

While investigating a case recently, NEWSng understands that patients at LUTH are worried with the cash method of payment for medical Services for example. According to the explanation, when they gets to the point of payment LUTH cashier will insist of making cash payment as against government policy of paying through electonic means.

This concern gave the inroad to contact some member of staff, who spoke on the condition of anonymity as regarding what they know. They informed that they are also worried about the new development and why LUTH will insist on paying cash to the cashier and every Tuesday, they see bullion van coming to take huge amount of money to the banks. According to them this is a security issue as carrying such huge amount may attract certain challenges and why should an institution like LUTH change the government policy of electronic payments?

In thier different concerns, they suggested that financial regulatory agencies needs to look into this novel activities in LUTH. The staff shared a story about over deduction in their salary and wanted to know if LUTH have returns all deducted funds to ippis or CBN? They also suggested the need to ask ARD executive at LUTH about the method of cash payment for service as against Federal Government directive of e-money collections.

When NEWSng attempted to get the Director of Finance at LUTH into discussing certain findings, which involves the finance activities, Mr. Tajudeen Ibrahim after a long while responded that he was not allowed to speak to the Press. That however, sounded like something is amiss. On another questions that has to do with non payment of salaries for nine months, hazard and MRFT allowances of some Residents Doctors, he suggested the Director of Administration is in position to answer that.

NEWSng in its findings learnt that for nine months, residents doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital has not been paid salaries and other allowances. According to some doctors, yet the system espects them to remain focus and work for the health of the society.

“They tell us that we are doctors, forgetting that we are also humans. The administration of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH for some reason could not justify their actions over many scary stories emanating from the hospital from maladministration to deaths mounting as a result of lack of care and the welfare of staff especially doctors which the establishment of such an Institution hangs on.

“Several Resident Doctors have left. Many are now reporting the difference between working at the home front and working in distant country where they are being treated as Angels. Recently, the number of doctors said to have been putting resignation and living the services of LUTH has been alarming. Several of them have given reasons to ill treatment by the management of the hospital.” One of the Doctors, who did not want his name in print said.

Also speaking, another doctor who resign from the services of LUTH told NEWSng that although they (doctors) are living the services of the hospital on various grounds, the crux which informed their living was imbedded in the lack of payment of the salaries in the last nine months. The doctor also mention other allowances like Hazard and MRTF, which only the management can explained. However, a note pushed on the course of this investigation may have giving an inroad to the business of withholding the doctor’s salaries when a mention of fixing the money for interest in banks becomes of concern. This is what the director of finance at LUTH should explained.

” I have pursued for my payments from Lagos to Abuja to no avail. But I have establish the facts that the federal government have paid. Only LUTH is holding it. I have gone to the extent of pleading with them to pay me even if I had to surrender some money from my own in whatever name but the story is the same.

Also Read: https://dailypost.ng/2022/09/29/2023-elections-nis-to-shut-doors-against-foreign-migrants/

“We want LUTH to pay us our money. For the past nine months I have not been paid. All efforts goes through the ears and no results coming. They wanted us to work but they are not concern about our welfare. Imagine they will tell you as a doctor to show concern and attend to patients when your own welfare is thrown to the dogs! How do you function in this kind of situation? They have forgotten that we are also humans with blood running through our veins. How do you focus as a doctor and give the best?

“Those of our colleagues who left the shores of this country are doing very well. I know a number of them who left LUTH and today they are better. That is why we are living the services at LUTH because we are not being treated well. I am not concern about housing but pay my salary and help me meet my personal needs so I can work as expected. I am dealing with people’s lives and I needed to be focus.” The doctor who spoke on condition of anonymity said.

Attempts to get the CMAC, Professor Wasiu Adeyemo did not yield result. However, the Director of Administration, Mr. Babajide Grillo explained that, the issue of payment as regards the Resident Doctors who are concern is not base in LUTH.

“There are about 17 or 18 there about who left out of over 100 we employed.” Babajide Grillo explained. “The issue is not with LUTH. It started when the IPS people came and it was discovered that some of the employed already have an IPPIS number. This is just an issue of harmonization. However, you know this was being done by the office of the Accountant General and it has been shifted to the office of the Head of Service of the federation now. This will be sorted out.

“On the issue that doctors are living the services of the hospital as they would want the public to believe is not true. However, with this profession professionals like doctors are on record migrating. This is not only in LUTH. When you check out it is a general phenomenon. ” The Director Administration in LUTH said.

NEWSng also made efforts to contact the President of the Association of Resident Doctors, Dr. Samuel Okerinde but he could not return calls. However, the ARD Secretary General and Vice President of the Association responded to calls. Their positions also explained the generality of happenings within the medical profession as regards reasons for migration by these skilled professionals. They also hinted on the protest at LUTH and how it was put to calm but not resolved.

LUTH: How lack of communication is hampering operational activities

Health

Health Worker Exodus Deepens as Policy Brief Warns of Systemic Risk to Nigeria’s Healthcare Sector

Published

3 weeks ago

January 8, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Health Worker Exodus Deepens as Policy Brief Warns of Systemic Risk to Nigeria’s Healthcare Sector

By: Michael Mike

A new policy brief has warned that unless urgent welfare-focused reforms are implemented, the country risks a deepening crisis that could undermine access to quality healthcare nationwide.

Nigeria’s healthcare system is facing mounting pressure as the steady departure of doctors and nurses continues to erode service capacity, raising concerns about long-term system viability.

According to the policy analysis authored by health policy expert Dr Emmanuel Ejimonu, of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, more than 42,000 nurses left Nigeria between 2021 and early 2024, while thousands of Nigerian-trained doctors have registered to practise abroad, particularly in the United Kingdom. The trend shows no sign of slowing, as survey data cited in the report indicate that nearly three-quarters of medical and nursing students intend to seek employment overseas, with about one in three expressing no plans to return.

The report attributed the exodus largely to domestic welfare and governance challenges rather than professional ambition. Health workers interviewed consistently pointed to low and irregular salaries, unsafe and overstretched working environments, limited opportunities for funded specialist training and weak social protection systems. These challenges, the brief notes, have made emigration a rational choice in the face of institutional uncertainty, especially as global demand for health professionals continues to rise.

Although the Federal Government introduced a National Policy on Health Workforce Migration in 2023 to promote ethical recruitment and retention, the brief argues that its impact has been limited. Implementation gaps, inadequate funding and uneven execution at state and facility levels have prevented the policy from delivering meaningful improvements in working conditions.

The consequences of sustained health worker losses are already visible. Teaching hospitals are reportedly struggling to maintain specialist training and mentorship programmes, while recurring strikes highlight growing mistrust between health workers and government authorities. Economically, the country is losing returns on public investments in training, even as staff shortages compromise care delivery in both urban and rural facilities. Remaining workers also face rising burnout, further fuelling migration intentions.

Drawing on international experiences from countries such as Ghana, Kenya, the Philippines and Cuba, the policy brief stresses that health worker migration cannot be completely stopped. Instead, it recommends managing mobility through welfare-based retention strategies and credible governance structures.

Central to the recommendations is a proposed Welfare-First Retention Package, which prioritises guaranteed and timely payment of salaries, improved workplace safety, funded career progression, fair bonding arrangements and strengthened social protection. The package also calls for disciplined use of bilateral agreements and ethical recruitment frameworks to protect Nigeria’s investment in health worker training.

The brief estimates that, if properly funded and implemented, the proposed measures could reduce short-term health worker attrition by up to one-third within two years, while significantly improving retention over a five-year period.

The report stated that reversing the health workforce crisis will require treating welfare reform as a core economic and governance priority, backed by political will, fiscal discipline and strong institutional coordination. Without such action, the report warns, Nigeria risks the gradual hollowing out of its healthcare system, with far-reaching consequences for public health and national development.

Health Worker Exodus Deepens as Policy Brief Warns of Systemic Risk to Nigeria’s Healthcare Sector

Health

Yobe to establish dialysis center in Gashua

Published

3 months ago

November 9, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Yobe to establish dialysis center in Gashua

By: Yahaya Wakili

Pending the recommendations of the research being conducted by Bio-RTC in addressing the problem of Chronic Kidney failure in the state. The Yobe state government will establish additional succor to kidney patients with a Renal Dialysis Center in Gashua, the headquarters of the Bade local government area.

Yobe State Governor Hon. Dr. Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN, disclosed this in his 2026 budget proposal speech of #515.583 billion submitted to the Yobe State House of Assembly in Damaturu.

Governor Buni said the government will also construct a new general hospital in Potiskum to address the problem of overcrowding of patients at the specialist hospital.

According to him, the government will also intend to complete the rehabilitation and upgrade of the 36 remaining primary health care centers across the state in fulfillment of our campaign promise to provide one functional primary healthcare center in each of the 178 political wards.

He further said in the fiscal year, the government will embark on the provision of at least one model primary school in each of the 178 electoral wards in the state to improve basic education in the state.

He maintained that the modern markets in Geidam, Buni Yadi, Ngalda, Yunusari, and Machina will be completed and commissioned, adding that these markets will not only improve the commercial activities in the state but will further provide job opportunities to our teeming youths and increase the income of our people.

Governor Buni revealed that funds would be made available for the provision of power substations in 6 major towns of the state. In addition to the provision of solar-powered streetlights, 250 KVA, 500 KVA, and 800 KVA diesel soundproof generator sets would be distributed to government agencies across the state.

Yobe to establish dialysis center in Gashua

Health

UMTH: Another Cap for the Chief Medical Director: Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo’s Distinguished Govtech Trailblazer Award

Published

4 months ago

October 14, 2025

News Net Global

UMTH: Another Cap for the Chief Medical Director: Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo’s Distinguished Govtech Trailblazer Award

UMTH: Another Cap for the Chief Medical Director: Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo’s Distinguished Govtech Trailblazer Award

By: Dr. James Bwala

The evening of October 10th, 2025, marked a significant milestone in the annals of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), for emerging as the Best Federal Health Institution in ICT Integration. Also the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo, was honored with the title of Distinguished Govtech Trailblazer. This recognition, conferred by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms at a grand ceremony held in the Presidential Villa in Abuja, is a testament to his unwavering commitment to healthcare innovations and exemplary leadership within the public sector. Such an award, unprecedented in its scope and depth, underscores not only his personal achievements but also reflects the collective progress of UMTH under his stewardship.

As guests filled the ornate hall of the Presidential Villa, anticipation buzzed in the air. The decor, infused with symbols of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, echoed the significance of the event. Among those present were notable figures from various sectors, including former board chairman at UMTH, Hadi Ukashatu Gumel; CMAC Prof. Modu Baba Kagu; DCMAC Clinicals Prof. Buba Faruq; PA to the CMD Dahiru Hammawa; Head of ICT Ismail Hashim; Engr. Maaji Shettima; and Mr. Peter, representative of Health in the Box. Their presence highlighted the collaborative efforts that characterize Prof. Ahidjo’s leadership style—a leadership that emphasizes teamwork, accountability, and innovation.

Prof. Ahidjo’s journey to this prestigious award is marked by a robust track record that distinguishes him as a goal getter. Since assuming the role of CMD at UMTH, he has championed numerous initiatives aimed at transforming the hospital into a beacon of excellence in healthcare delivery. His foresight in integrating technology into the healthcare process has not only streamlined operations but also improved patient outcomes significantly. Under his guidance, UMTH has embraced digital transformation, facilitating telemedicine services, electronic health records, and comprehensive data management systems—all pivotal in the ongoing evolution of healthcare in Nigeria.

The Distinguished Govtech Trailblazer award acknowledges those who have made substantial contributions to government technology advancements and public service reforms. Prof. Ahidjo’s tenure exemplifies this principle, as he led initiatives that have enhanced the efficiency of healthcare services across the region. For instance, his collaboration with local tech firms to develop the Health in the Box initiative embodies innovative solutions to pressing healthcare challenges. This program leverages technology to provide remote health services, bridging the gap between urban healthcare facilities and rural communities, thereby ensuring equitable access to essential medical resources.

The award ceremony itself was a reflection of commendable partnerships forged between government institutions and private entities, designed to uplift public service through technological advancements. As Prof. Ahidjo, represented by the former chairman of the board, ascended the stage to accept the award, there was a palpable sense of pride among attendees, particularly those from UMTH who had witnessed firsthand the relentless efforts of their chief medical director.

In his acceptance speech, Prof. Ahidjo expressed gratitude not only for the recognition but also for the collective effort of his team. He acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the hospital staff, whom he described as the backbone of UMTH’s successes. His emphasis on teamwork resonated throughout the audience, reaffirming the notion that individual accolades are often the results of cooperative endeavors. He further dedicated the award to his colleagues, emphasizing that the honor is reflective of the strides made by the entire institution.

The presence of key figures like DCMAC Clinicals Prof. Buba Faruq and Head of ICT Ismail Hashim underscored the breadth of support for Prof. Ahidjo’s vision. They encapsulated the sentiment that the award serves not just as recognition for past accomplishments but as a call to action for continued innovation and excellence in the face of ever-evolving healthcare challenges.

The event showcased a tapestry of emotions—pride, enthusiasm, and an invigorated sense of purpose. Attendees were treated to a series of presentations highlighting UMTH’s recent advancements, notably the implementation of smart technology in patient management and the establishment of a state-of-the-art emergency response center. These developments were evidence of how visionary leadership can steer a traditional healthcare system toward modernization.

Furthermore, the award also sparked discussions among stakeholders about the future of healthcare in Nigeria. Attendees, including representatives from government agencies and health technology firms, engaged in dialogue about opportunities for collaboration and investment in health tech. The consensus was clear: as Nigeria faces increasing healthcare demands and challenges, embracing technology is not merely beneficial; it is imperative.

The culmination of the event was a networking session where ideas flowed freely, fostering a spirit of collaboration that promises to enhance the landscape of healthcare delivery in Nigeria. Prof. Ahidjo’s influence extends beyond UMTH, as his leadership and vision inspire peers and upcoming healthcare professionals to strive for excellence in service delivery.

His recognition as a Govtech Trailblazer enriches the narrative of health reform in Nigeria, illustrating the pivotal role of innovative governance in public health. Prof. Ahidjo stands as a beacon for aspiring leaders, showcasing that with resilience, foresight, and collaboration, transformative change is attainable.

The Distinguished Govtech Trailblazer award conferred upon Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo not only celebrates his exemplary service but also symbolizes a broader movement towards modernization and efficiency within Nigeria’s healthcare system. As UMTH continues to flourish under his guidance, it is poised to lead by example, proving that strategic leadership and technology integration can radically enhance the quality of public healthcare services. The future appears bright, promising further advancements and recognition for the institution and its steadfast chief medical director, Prof. Ahidjo, who wears this new cap with unparalleled dignity and commitment to progress.

* James Bwala, PhD, writes from Abuja.

UMTH: Another Cap for the Chief Medical Director: Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo’s Distinguished Govtech Trailblazer Award