Why We Establish COCSTHIN, UTH CMD, Prof Olaitan Explains

A new group of hospital administrators in Nigeria known as Committee of Chief Medical Directors of State Teaching Hospitals in Nigeria (COCSTHIN) was officially established yesterday Friday 31st May 2024.

The group was inaugurated by the Chairman of the occasion, the immediate Past President of National postgraduate Medical College and former Chief Medical Director of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Professor Akin Osibogun during the official opening ceremony held at BON hotel, Ikeja, Lagos State.

In attendance were the Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on health, Dr Mrs Kemi Ogunyemi who represented the State Government. The group led by its interim Chairman, Prof Peter Babatunde Olaitan, the chief Medical Director of Uniosun Teaching Hospital, Osogbo had earlier paid a courtesy visit to the State Governor, His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwoolu on Thursday 30th May 2024 at his Alausa Ikeja office with a very warm reception and executive blessings.

In his welcome remarks, the interim Chairman of the group, Professor Peter Babatunde Olaitan said the coming together of the CMDs was long overdue. He explained that the alliance will afford the group opportunities to collaborate and synergize in various areas to solving their common challenges in the Institutions they administer. It will also assist in the training of medical personnel as well as research activities as they provide healthcare services to the people of their various states.

The opening ceremony also witnessed a keynote speech delivered by a two term former Chief Medical Director of the foremost University College, Ibadan, Professor Temitope Olugbenga Alonge with a topic: *Public Private Partnership: an alternative to improving facility for care* and a goodwill message from the Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta, Lagos who doubles as the Chairman, Board of Management for Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Dr Adeola Dada.

In his keynote address, Professor Temitope Alonge encouraged the Committee to explore numerous models of private partnership and embrace Private Financing Initiative in their various hospitals as means to solving unlimited challenges of running institutions like theirs knowing that Government financing will never be adequate.

Also in his goodwill message, Dr Adedamola Dada warned the Committee never to allow the inauguration to end as a jamboree as there will be many distractions capable of making the group to derail.

The opening ceremony was followed by a closed door session with another talk taken by the Hosting CMD of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital ( LASUTH), Professor Adetokunbo O. Fabamwo and had in attendance many Chief Medical Directors of State hospitals in various geopolitical Zones of the Country.

The group is under an interim leadership having Professor Olaitan of UTH, Osogbo as the chairman, Dr Nekwu Okolugbo of DELSUTH as Deputy Chairman and Dr Mrs Oluwabunmi Motunrayo Fatugase of OOUTH Sagamu as the Secretary.

Other state CMDs present at the inauguration include the host Chief Medical Director, Prof Adetokunbo O. Fabamwo, Prof. J.K. Olabanji of Ekiti State Univerity Teaching Hospital, Prof. C. AKubudike Alikor of River State Teaching Hospital, Hon Dr. Joe Akabuike of COOUTH Awka, Anambra State, Dr. Michael O. Gbala Univerity of Medixal Sciences Ondo, Ondo State and Dr. Baba Waru Goni, Yobe State University Teaching Hospital and Prof Dimie Ogoina of Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Bayelsa.