Kunle Adelabu
The immediate past Medical Director/Chief Executive Officer of the General Hospital, Ikorodu, Dr (Mrs) Adeniyi M. T. Odubiyi, has stated that health officers at the General Hospital are no longer afraid to attend to patients, especially those infected with COVID – 19, due to the availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Mrs Odubiyi, who was transferred to the General Hospital, Ikorodu, few weeks ago to manage the crisis that her immediate predecessor had with frontline officials and other staff, disclosed this at a send forth ceremony organized in her honour by the management of the hospital on Thursday, June11,2020.
Dr Odubiyi retired from service on Thursday, while Dr Taiwo Hassan, former Medical Director/Chief Executive Officer, Ebute-Metta Comprehensive Health Centre, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, took over the leadership of the hospital from her the same day. .
“My Permanent Secretary sir, we no longer fear COVID-19 again in General Hospital because we have necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)”, she stated.
“Our health workers are always fully kitted now to protect themselves unlike before.
“We now admit COVID-19 patients and then send for the officials of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)”, she confirmed.
While also speaking on how she improved on other areas of the hospital, Mrs Odubiyi stated that she had asked staff of the hospital to always lay for patients same bedspreads that they too can lay upon.
“We have brought out new bedspreads and ensure that our beds are always neat. I did told my staff that they must ensure that bedspreads that are going to be used for patients are those they too can lay upon”
Dr Odubiyi,however, called on her successor to ensure that the new ways of doing things at the state health facility are well maintained when he officially resume duty .
“I hope that Dr Hassan will continue with this?”
More so, she explained that she had to embarked on wide consultations, listened to various actors in the crisis that characterized the General Hospital, Ikorodu, and looked into the staff’s welfare to make them work with her.
The Permanent Secretary, Dr Benjamin Eniayewun, speaking at the ceremony, described Dr Odubiyi’s transfer to the General Hospital, lkorodu, as a rescue mission which she fulfilled.
“It is a great joy for me to be here today at the Pen’s Down ceremony of Dr Odubiyi.
“I have known her for a while as a woman who always enjoy her work no matter the pressure and that’s what I want you all (other medical staff in the hospital) to emulate”, he said.
“When we decided to move her to Ikorodu general hospital when everything was in disarray, people were shouting that we should let her retire in peace and when I asked her about it, she just asked me to pray for her.
“She came here on a rescue mission to do what people thought was impossible because there were problems here and there in the general hospital”, Dr Eniayewun revealed.
“While she was here, all the parties to the problems agreed to work with her. When the righteous are on the throne, there is always joy and peace in the land.
“The welfare of her staff is very paramount to her and as a welfare person, she saw to it that they were well catered for.
“She is a good manager that knows where shoe pinches her staff in their legs. She’s committed and always ready to listen”.
He prayed for fulfilled life for her after retirement.
Dr Taiwo Hassan, the new Medical Director/Chief Executive Officer, General Hospital, Ikorodu, described her predecessor as a peacemaker, achiever and mother.
“It is with great honour and privilege that I welcome you all to this auspicious occasion organized in honour of a symbol of peace, an achiever per excellence and a mother to many. In the person of Dr. (Mrs) A.M.T. Odubiyi.
“To every beginning, there is an end. This occasion marks a meritorious exit from service which has been characterized by goodwill, hardwork, commitment and dedication to the course of healthcare delivery to which Dr. (Mrs) A.M.T Odubiyi has given her immediate past 35 year to without wavering.
“We gather here today not to bid you farewell but to usher you into another phase of life. Post-retirement life, which we know that is consequent upon your service history, will be a blissful one”.
Dr Hassan stated that her predecessor has brought back confidence in the staff of the General Hospital, Ikorodu.
“Though, your stay at Ikorodu General Hospital was a short one but it has brought succor, confidence and memorable days not to be forgotten soon. As a hen gathers her chicks, your advent here has once again gathered Ikorodu General Hospital as one family via motherly approach to all things”.
Dr Hassan also prayed for his predecessor that her retirement would usher in prosperity for her and also take her to greater height.
“As we celebrate your exit from the Lagos State Civil Service today, we pray that the Almighty God will make your post-retirement days prosperous characterize with every good thing of this phase of life that you are entering into.
“We love you, we will miss you but we hope to see you at greater heights soon because “the reward of hardwork, they say, is more work”.
Dr Hassan also assured staff of the hospital that their inputs will be welcomed at any time while also seeking their cooperation to make the hospital greater.
He promised that there will be grand sendforth for Dr Odubiyi when the COVID-19 is over.
