Government okays single term for heads of tertiary health institutions

The Federal Government has pegged a one-term tenure for Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and Medical Directors (MDs) of tertiary health institutions to check the desperation and animosity the renewal of stewardship breeds.

The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire who dropped the hint while reacting to the perennial leadership crisis at the Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Uselu, Edo State, also warned against fraudulent practices by heads of the concerned organisations.

“Some CMDs/MDs, including the MD of Federal Neuro psychiatric Hospital, Uselu, were authorised to hold brief for a limited time while the Federal Ministry of Health is developing a new tenure policy for all its institutions’ heads. Anyone with evidence of crime is encouraged to present it. This government tolerates no fraud,” he said.

However, according to an internal ministry document obtained by The Guardian, it was resolved that: “The tenure of Chief Executive Officers of Federal Tertiary Health Institutions be limited to a single term. This decision was taken as part of comprehensive measures to address some of the causes of conflict in the institutions.

“Consequently, it may be appropriate for the Honourable Minister of Health to approve that CEOs of FTHIs whose first tenures have expired should be directed to hand over to the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), Head of Clinical Services (HCS), Deputy Registrar or their equivalents, as the case may be.

“Secondly, that CEOs who are already serving their second tenures should commence the process of appointing their successors by placing advertisements in two widely circulated national dailies at least six months to their due dates to ensure seamless transition,” it added.