The management of FUTA Teaching Hospital (FTH), Akure, has appealed to stakeholders, staff and members of the public to continue supporting the institution and exercise patience as it undergoes a transition aimed at establishing a world-class federal teaching hospital.

The Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Olusegun Ojo, made the appeal during the commencement of the biometric capture of inherited staff of the hospital by the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) Directorate under the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

Prof. Ojo expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the establishment of the hospital and commended Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for his commitment and support towards making the institution a reality.

He also thanked the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, other traditional rulers, community leaders, lawmakers, development partners, healthcare professionals, civil society organisations, the media and the people of Ondo State for their contributions to the actualisation of the teaching hospital.

According to him, while the establishment of the institution marked a significant milestone, the task of building a fully functional teaching hospital had only just begun, making the continued support and cooperation of stakeholders indispensable.

The CMD said the management remained committed to implementing the Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Government and the Ondo State Government to ensure the institution develops into a full-fledged teaching hospital capable of delivering specialised tertiary healthcare services, training medical professionals, conducting quality research and promoting innovation.

“A teaching hospital is expected to provide specialised tertiary healthcare services, train medical and allied health professionals, support academic excellence, conduct high-quality research and serve as a centre for innovation and the advancement of medical knowledge,” he said.

Prof. Ojo noted that the management was deliberately laying a solid foundation by strengthening institutional systems, improving infrastructure, developing qualified personnel, fostering academic collaborations and establishing structures that would guarantee sustainable growth and excellence in healthcare delivery, teaching and research.

He acknowledged concerns raised by some inherited staff members and labour union leaders over individuals yet to be captured in the ongoing IPPIS exercise, assuring affected workers that steps were being taken to address the complaints through appropriate government procedures.

The CMD appealed to affected staff and stakeholders to remain calm and continue to engage constructively with the management, stressing that dialogue, mutual understanding and adherence to due process would best serve the interests of both employees and the institution during the transition period.