The Oyo State Hospital Management Board (OYSHMB) has dismissed recent allegations of mismanagement and mass exit of doctors, describing them as baseless, malicious, and politically motivated.
The claims were published by a group calling itself the “Concerned Stakeholders for Good Governance in Oyo State.” The Board said the accusations were aimed at undermining the progress recorded in the state’s health sector under Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration.
In a statement, the Board maintained that the health sector in Oyo is in a far better condition than it was under previous administrations. It disclosed that over 20 doctors have been recruited in the past year, including 10 medical officers who joined within the last two weeks.
It also clarified that the migration of doctors is a national and global trend, driven largely by professionals seeking better opportunities or postgraduate training. “This isn’t unique to Oyo State; the shortage of doctors is a national problem,” the statement noted.
To address staffing gaps, the Board said it operates an exit replacement policy approved by Governor Makinde. Through this system, over 15 new medical officers were recruited in just one week.
On financial accountability, the Board highlighted the introduction of an electronic payment (E-payment) system, which it said has plugged revenue leakages and eliminated misconduct. According to the Board, hospital revenues have tripled in the past year since the system was adopted.
“No patient should pay cash in government hospitals. Receipts must be issued, and payments must go through the E-payment platform,” the statement stressed, dismissing allegations of POS machines and unauthorized accounts as “false and deliberately mischievous.”
The Board further disclosed that it has engaged 13 visiting consultants from the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, and partnered with 30 universities for clinical training. Medical students from Lead City University are also rotating through state hospitals as part of their studies.
Reaffirming its commitment to service delivery, the Board urged the public to ignore politically driven misinformation. “We advise that people should not, because of political interest, mortgage the healthcare sector,” it said.
According to the management, all reforms are in line with Omi-tutun 2.0, Governor Makinde’s policy framework for improved healthcare.
