Edo NMA Honours Eifediyi, Hails ISTH as Pillar of Medical Leadership in Edo

Kingsley Ohens reporting

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Edo State Branch, has honoured the Chief Medical Director and Chief Executive Officer of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), Professor Reuben Agbons Eifediyi, for his outstanding contributions to medical leadership, healthcare administration and institutional development.

The recognition formed part of a courtesy visit by the Dr Andrew Oseghale Eigbedion-led Edo NMA State Officers Committee to the renowned specialist hospital, where the delegation engaged the hospital’s management on professional inclusion, doctors’ welfare, membership expansion, institutional development and stronger collaboration between the Association and ISTH.

Receiving the delegation alongside members of the Hospital Management Committee, Professor Eifediyi expressed delight that the current Chairman of Edo NMA emerged from the ISTH medical community, describing it as a source of pride for the institution.

He also highlighted the representation of three ISTH staff members in the current Edo NMA State Officers Committee, describing the development as significant to the history and continued growth of the Association.

The ISTH CMD commended the new leadership of Edo NMA and pledged his support for the Association, expressing optimism that the engagement would foster a stronger and more productive relationship between the NMA and the institution.

A major issue discussed during the meeting was the proposed reintegration of House Officers at ISTH into the Edo NMA membership structure. Dr Eigbedion explained that the initiative was designed to promote professional inclusion, strengthen unity among medical practitioners and ensure that House Officers benefit from the Association’s professional development programmes, welfare advocacy and collective representation.

He noted that House Officers in other institutions, including Edo Specialist Hospital, Central Hospital, Benin City, and Stella Obasanjo Hospital, participate in Edo NMA activities.

The NMA Chairman assured the hospital management that the initiative would be pursued through constructive dialogue and consultation, stressing that the objective was to deepen professional relationships rather than create industrial disharmony.

He further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to responsible advocacy, dialogue and industrial harmony, particularly in ensuring that patients’ access to essential healthcare services is not unnecessarily disrupted.

The Edo NMA leadership also disclosed a significant expansion of its membership base, revealing that advocacy engagements with the Vice-Chancellor of Edo State University, Iyamho, and the Chief Medical Director of Edo State University Teaching Hospital, Auchi, had resulted in 66 medical doctors from the two institutions voluntarily joining the Association.

Dr Eigbedion described the development as a major milestone in the administration’s drive to broaden participation and give medical practitioners across Edo State’s healthcare institutions a stronger collective voice.

The meeting equally underscored ISTH’s enduring contribution to healthcare leadership and institutional development in Edo State. Professor Eifediyi noted that the hospital’s influence extends beyond its internationally recognised expertise in Lassa fever and other viral haemorrhagic diseases, as well as vaccine research.

He cited Professor George Akpede, Chief Medical Director of Stella Obasanjo Hospital; Dr Anthonia Njoku, Chief Medical Director of Edo Specialist Hospital; and Dr Tijani Oseni, Chief Medical Director of Edo State University Teaching Hospital, as examples of medical leaders whose professional development and leadership reflect the institutional depth and influence of ISTH.

Dr Eigbedion also congratulated Professor Eifediyi on the continued expansion of ISTH, particularly the forthcoming commissioning of the Chief Dr Leemon Ikpea Ultramodern Hospital at Idumu-Iyase, Ewatto, Edo State, scheduled for Monday, October 19, 2026, by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, CON. The facility is expected to serve as one of the hospital’s outreach centres.

In a defining moment of the engagement, the Edo NMA delegation presented Professor Eifediyi with a commemorative award frame bearing the Award of Excellence in Medical Leadership and Healthcare Administration, recognising his professional excellence, leadership and commitment to healthcare delivery and institutional advancement.

The presentation was led by Dr Irene Akhideno, Chairman of the NMA National Committee on Female Doctors Welfare and Family Support and member of the NMA National Executive Council, alongside Dr William Akerele, Secretary of Edo NMA.

The delegation also included Dr Henrietta Ugbeni, Treasurer; Dr Joseph Okoeguale, Chairman of MDCAN, ISTH Branch; Dr Philip Irabor, President of ARD, ISTH Branch; Dr Cyril Erameh, immediate past Director of the Institute of Lassa Fever, ISTH; Dr Blessing Tagar, Treasurer, NMA Edo Central; Dr Osahogie Edeawe, representative of the Association of Specialist Medical and Dental Practitioners (ASMEDA); Dr Mark Ogbiti, representative of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP), Edo Central Zone; and other medical leaders from Edo Central Senatorial District.

The engagement concluded with a joint photograph session and press interviews involving Professor Eifediyi, Dr Eigbedion and other participants.

The visit ultimately reinforced a shared commitment by the Nigerian Medical Association, Edo State Branch, and Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital to professional inclusion, institutional collaboration, improved doctors’ welfare, industrial harmony and the continuous advancement of quality healthcare delivery across Edo State.