Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
The Federal Government has appointed Dr Philip Ugbodaga a Maxillofacial Traumatologist, as the acting Medical Director of the newly established National Orthopaedic Hospital, Edo State.
A Statement signed by the Minister of State for Health Mr Ekumankama N Joseph on behalf of the Health Minister, Dr Osagie Ehanire says Dr Philip Ugbodaga who is a Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons as well as that of the International College of Surgeons is to be in acting capacity in the new health facility pending the appointment of a substantive Medical Director or his confirmation
The Statement added that the appointment takes immediate effect while the Chief Medial Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Professor Darlington Obaseki will be directed to release some support staff to him to ensure smooth take off and commencement of healthcare services in the hospital.
The statement also congratulates the new Acting Medical Director on his new appointment and urged him to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure effective take off and delivery of quality healthcare services to the public.
Truth Live News reports that until his appointment, Dr Philip Ugbodaga was the Medical Director Central Hospital, Benin City, former Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association Edo State branch, and a renowned Civil Society activist, where he once served as the National Chairman of the Coalition to Save Nigeria (CSN), a coalition of human rights and masses-based organizations.
Dr. Philip Ugbodaga has worked in different establishments from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) where he did his residency training to qualify as a consultant oral and maximum surgeon.
He once served as the President of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and then 1st Vice President of the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD).
He has been involved with several community-based organizations to provide free medical services to indigent patients through his NGO, Health Support Initiative (HSI).
He has authored many research papers and published articles focusing on issues as wide ranging as medicine, national socio-political development and international politics.