- Institutions Ugbodaga was a special assistant to Prince Clem Agba, handling various portfolios including international cooperation, social development and open government partnerships
- Nigerian orthopaedic surgeons pledge support for new medical director’s plan to provide high-quality patient-focused care
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr Philip Ibukun Ugbodaga as the Practice Medical Director of the newly established National Orthopedic Hospital in Edo State.
The appointment of heads of 12 other teaching hospitals and specialized centers throughout the country was also approved.
The appointment was contained in a letter signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Dr. George Akum, to take effect from August 1, 2023 and is “for an initial period of four (4) years”.
Ugbodaga who is the former Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Edo State branch was earlier appointed as the Acting Medical Director of the hospital by the former minister of health, Hon. Joseph Ekumankama towards the end of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He is a renowned oral and maxillofacial surgeon and previously served as Medical Director of Benin City Central Hospital, where his patient-centered approach to healthcare has been recognized by the civil society and advocacy community.
He served as Special Assistant, Administration to the former Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, and also managed several other portfolios, such as Special Assistant in International Cooperation, Special Assistant in Social Development, as well as the Special Adviser in Open Government Association (OGP) to the Honorable Minister.
He obtained his bachelor’s degree in dental surgery from the University of Benin and then trained as a maxillofacial surgeon at the University Hospital of the University of Benin from 2001 to 2007 to become a member of the West African College of Surgeons.
In 2018, he became a Fellow of the International College of Surgeons.
He was a student union activist as a student and apart from being the chairman of the Edo State chapter of NMA, he at one time led the Association of Resident Doctors, UBTH and was the first vice president of the National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD.
He was also the president. He has worked in institutions ranging from the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital (LUTH) to the Irrua Specialized Teaching Hospital (ISTH), the Benin University Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and Benin City Central Hospital.
As a civil society activist, Dr. Philip Ugbodaga is the leader of the Coalition to Save Nigeria (CSN), a coalition of human rights and mass organizations and has been involved in several organizations communities to provide free medical services to indigent patients. through his NGO, Health Support Initiative (HSI).
He has many awards to his credit and has served in various local, national and international committees including being a member of the Technical Working Group (TWC) for the preparation of Nigeria’s Medium Term National Development Plan (2021) -2025) and the Nigerian Agenda. 2050 where he worked on the topic area “Health and Nutrition” among others.
A man who travels a lot, Ugbodaga is married and the father of three adorable children.
Reacting to the appointment, a renowned reproductive health expert, Prof. Friday Okonofua described Ugbodaga as a performer and a great patriot “he did well when he was the CMD of the Central Hospital in Benin.
I believe he will do well again”.
Also, a UK based Orthopedic Surgeon and former National President of the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD), Dr. Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi in a personal statement issued from his base in the UK said: “Your knowledge, experience and leadership skills will be invaluable to the success of this new hospital.”
He pledged the support of diaspora-based Nigerian orthopedic surgeons to the new medical director in his stated plan to create high-quality and standard patient-centered care when fully operational.
Within Nigeria
