Hospitals must prioritise wellness, not just treatment — Experts - Punch Newspapers

As eminent figures in the medical profession gathered to celebrate the career and contributions of renowned Nigerian public health physician and epidemiologist, Professor Akin Osibogun, public health expert Professor Olumuyiwa Odusanya called for a shift from hospital-centred care to disease prevention and health promotion.

Odusanya stressed that hospitals alone could not deliver better health outcomes, noting that improving population health requires stronger preventive care and action on the wider factors that influence people’s health.

“Health is not produced in hospitals; it is produced outside the hospital. Hospitals must move from becoming homes of the sick to Homes for Wellness,” the don noted.

Odusanya spoke at the valedictory lecture held in honour of Osibogun, a Professor of Community and Public Health, organised by the Department of Community Health and Primary Care at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

Osibogun was celebrated for more than 30 years of service to the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, and his leadership at LUTH. The event also marked his 70th birthday and retirement from active academic service.

In a lecture titled “Strengthening Health Systems, Shaping Futures: A Tribute to Leadership in Health,” Odusanya explained that hospitals and other health facilities should not focus only on treating people who are already ill but should also contribute to preventing diseases and promoting healthier lives.

He noted that health outcomes were shaped by several factors outside the clinical setting, including public budgeting, education, access to clean water and the strength of the wider health system.

Odusanya, the pioneer substantive Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University of Science and Technology, explained that a functional health system required an adequately trained workforce, essential medicines and technologies, sustainable financing, reliable health information, effective service delivery and strong leadership and governance.

He noted that weaknesses in any of these areas could affect the system’s ability to deliver effective care and improve population health.

“The health system has three important goals. One, to treat people efficiently in a timely manner. Two, to meet their legitimate health expectations and outcomes. Three, to ensure their financial protection,” he said.

The public health professor said Nigeria’s health system faced challenges including inadequate funding, shortages and unequal distribution of health workers, limited access to medical equipment and weak leadership.

The LASUSTECH VC said some health professionals were concentrated in cities such as Lagos and Port Harcourt, leaving other communities with inadequate access to healthcare personnel.

He also expressed concern that the medical profession was struggling to attract some of the country’s brightest young people, stating that many of them preferred to venture into other professions.

The health management professional warned that the continued migration of health workers was worsening staffing challenges, stating that these challenges undermined health and service delivery, further stressing the need to strengthen the health system to improve population health and protect the future.

The public health expert called for renewed attention to community-based medical education, saying training programmes should prepare health professionals to provide services outside major hospitals.

He noted that primary healthcare training had influenced his career in public health and called for greater emphasis on equipping medical students to serve communities. Odusanya also stressed that healthcare services should be organised around patients’ needs rather than the convenience of service providers, emphasising that a stronger health system required effective leadership, adequate resources and coordinated service delivery.

He further stated that the country’s dependence on imported medical equipment and inadequate funding affected the capacity of health facilities to provide services effectively.

The professor further noted the importance of reliable health information, stressing that inaccessible data and misinformation could undermine decision-making and public health interventions.

He said improving the health system required coordinated action across its different components, rather than concentrating only on hospitals and clinical treatment. Odusanya also expressed concern about the high level of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare, saying many Nigerians paid for treatment when they needed it rather than relying on health insurance.

He advocated stronger health financing arrangements to protect patients from the financial burden of accessing care.

The professor further noted that Nigeria’s heavy dependence on imported medical equipment made it difficult for health professionals to render adequate services, especially where essential diagnostic technologies were unavailable.

He called for health information systems that would make evidence more accessible and useful to policymakers, healthcare workers and the public.

The professor said stronger health systems were essential for improving health outcomes and supporting national development. “When people are healthier, they live longer, they are more productive, they contribute to their economic development. Health systems, when they are strong, improve outcomes; they prolong life; they secure the future. Professor Akin Osibogun exemplifies that leadership,” Odusanya noted.

In his speech, the Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Professor Wasiu Adeyemo, praised Osibogun for his contributions to medical education, hospital administration, public health and mentorship.

Adeyemo said Osibogun’s tenure as the hospital’s Chief Medical Director contributed to institutional development, while his mentorship prepared younger doctors for professional and administrative responsibilities.

He further noted that Osibogun’s influence extended beyond his formal appointments to the students he taught, colleagues he inspired and patients who benefited from the health system he helped strengthen.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof Folasade Ogunsola, also commended Osibogun for his contributions to the university, LUTH and the medical profession, describing him as a principled, knowledgeable and hardworking professional.

The UNILAG VC also recognised Osibogun’s contributions to health service delivery and institutional leadership during his time as Chief Medical Director of LUTH. Among the achievements associated with his leadership were the introduction of open-heart surgery and advances in specialist services, including kidney transplantation.

The university leadership also commended Osibogun for his service, describing him as a thoughtful and pragmatic professional whose contributions had left a mark on the institution.

“He’s a pragmatist and he does his homework, but beyond the titles and responsibilities, if you have worked with him, you will appreciate the person behind the office. He’s thoughtful, he’s principled, he’s hard-working, deeply knowledgeable and again I will say he’s a pragmatist. He does everything with an eye on the vision he has carved,” Ogunsola added.

Ogunsola said his retirement from active academic service would provide further opportunities to contribute to research, innovation, health policy and medical education.

In her remarks, Chief Mrs Bola Obasanjo, who represented former President Olusegun Obasanjo, congratulated Osibogun on his retirement and 70th birthday, praising his dedication to work and the support he received from his family.

She said her daughter’s experience during her National Youth Service Corps programme had given her an appreciation of the efficiency and hard work of staff at LUTH. Obasanjo also acknowledged the contributions of the hospital’s doctors, nurses, cleaners and domestic staff, stressing that every category of worker played an important role in the institution’s performance.

Praising Osibogun’s commitment, she urged him to remain active in the medical profession despite his retirement. “Professor Osibogun, you’re a great, great man. You are retiring; you are not tired at all. Keep the flag flying,” she said.

Osibogun was celebrated for more than three decades of service to the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, and his leadership at LUTH. The valedictory lecture brought together members of the medical profession and other dignitaries to honour his contributions to public health, medical education and healthcare administration.

Also present at the event were the celebrant’s wife, Mrs Margaret Osibogun, and two of their children and a grandchild.

An emotional Osibogun expressed his gratitude to the audience for the overwhelming show of love and accolades.

The Valedictory Retirement Ceremony also featured the unveiling of three publications by the celebrant.

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