HEALTH SERVICE COMMISSION HOLDS RETREAT FOR MEDICAL DIRECTORS, CANVASSES FOR EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE

The Lagos State Health Service Commission (HSC) recently held its Y2024 Second Quarter Forum for Medical Directors in all the State General Hospitals with a call for excellent performance in their various duties.

The Chairman of the Commission, Dr. (Mrs.) Atinuke Onayiga, who made the call in her address at the event held at the Lagos Continental Hotel Victoria Island, charged the Medical Directors to always learn to do better in all situations and in such a way that it will become a legacy for them.

She equally enjoined them to uphold the highest standard of excellence, reminding them that people are watching them and mindful of all their activities. The Chairman told them to align their expectations with that of the Commission’s. “Do not be vindictive or hit back on people. You are a mirror and the legacy you leave behind is what matters”, she said.

Dr. Onayiga further encouraged them to be compassionate in the discharge of their duties and to be sensitive to their surroundings and work environment by finding out who matters, within and outside the hospital community.

To the new Medical Directors, the Chairman urged them to understand the territory that they find themselves in, stressing that they must discover it, explore it, scope it and never disrupt the ecosystem, but manage it the best way they can to give them the needed results”.

In her words, “It is necessary for you to foster healthy collaboration, to avoid enviable rancour within the ranks, to prioritise continuous learning and never be a know-it-all type, to develop the ability to accommodate other opinions, embrace digitalisation process, avoid conflict of interest, as well as being good at conflict resolution and not allowing conflict to linger unnecessarily, but to escalate to HSC for proper handling”.

In his lecture titled: “MD as CEO”,  the Permanent Secretary of HSC, Dr. Ademuyiwa Benjamin Eniayewun noted that the so-called Leadership Management takes wisdom and courage, as extreme management is not for “rookies”. He reminded them that as CEO, they are called to do extreme management, to lead, and to lead very well, as all things they do, as leaders have consequences.

Speaking further, the Permanent Secretary advised them to display leadership qualities that involve humility, courage, integrity, pedigree, vision, empathy, and wisdom. He told them to engage in self-management, build teams, build platforms, promote staff involvement and not be naive as MDs.

While advising them on the”dos and don’ts” of a Medical Director, Eniayewun enjoined them to avoid pitfalls in the line of duty but to instead build oases, where everyone comes in and be blessed. “You should always find a way to stabilise the situation, to make progress, as well as not forgetting staff welfare which is the soul of business”, the PS urged.

Dignitaries present at the forum included the Lagos State First Lady, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Dr. Olumuyiwa Adetokunbo Solanke (Commissioner 1); Dr. Mobolaji Ayotunde Olukoya (Commissioner 2); Navy Commodore Olaniyi Oladapo and the Coordinator School of Anaesthetic Studies, Badagry, Dr. Olaniyi Olajide Oladapo, among others.