Posted on: Thu 07-08-2025

In a remarkable blend of legacy and progress, the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) has unveiled a state-of-the-art Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) Centre—an emblem of its renewed commitment to tuberculosis (TB) care in Nigeria. This significant milestone is not only a response to one of the nation’s enduring public health challenges but also a heartfelt tribute to one of its most revered medical leaders, Professor Christopher Bode, who recently bowed out after decades of impactful service as the institution’s Chief Medical Director.

The formal commissioning of the new DOT Centre, held last week within the LUTH premises, was strategically timed to coincide with Prof. Bode’s 70th birthday. The event was not only a celebration of architectural advancement in healthcare but also a moment to honour a man whose vision has helped transform the landscape of medical services in Nigeria.

According to hospital management, the centre was conceived and executed as a strategic response to the persistent burden of TB in the country. With a focus on enhanced diagnostic capacity, streamlined patient management, and an improved environment for both caregivers and recipients of care, the facility aims to serve as a cornerstone in Nigeria’s long-term TB control strategy.

The structure itself—a modern two-storey building—is equipped with spacious outpatient areas, consulting rooms, diagnostic laboratories, a functional pharmacy, and a dedicated sputum collection room. To ensure uninterrupted operations, the centre includes a reliable backup power supply and borehole water system, reinforcing its role as a resilient healthcare hub. Its design reflects both functionality and foresight, with workflow efficiency and infection control firmly in mind.

Speaking at the occasion, the current Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Professor Wasiu Adeyemo, described the centre as a legacy project that immortalizes Prof. Bode’s visionary leadership, integrity, and unwavering dedication to health system development. He noted that the alignment of the commissioning with Prof. Bode’s milestone birthday was a deliberate gesture, acknowledging the enduring impact of his tenure on institutional growth.

"Prof. Bode is not just a medical administrator; he is a builder of systems and a shaper of futures," Prof. Adeyemo remarked. "This centre is a physical manifestation of his ideals—efficient, patient-centred, and sustainable."

The celebration of Prof. Bode’s retirement further underscored the breadth and depth of his contributions. In speeches that blended admiration with emotion, colleagues, mentees, and university leadership paid tribute to a man whose influence transcends buildings and titles. His legacy in paediatric surgery, mentorship of emerging professionals, and expansion of medical infrastructure were recurrent themes in the tributes.

Professor Adesoji Ademuyiwa, Head of Surgery at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, described Bode as “a principled and practical leader, always focused on sustainable solutions.” His sentiments were echoed by many who had walked the halls of LUTH under Bode’s stewardship.

Chairing the event, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, hailed Bode’s contributions to academic leadership, health systems development, and global medical integration. She credited his work with strengthening the stature of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, now recognized as one of the foremost medical schools on the continent.

Beyond infrastructure, Prof. Ogunsola praised him for nurturing young professionals, fostering institutional partnerships, and serving as a bridge between local talent and international expertise. “Prof. Bode transformed more than just structures,” she said. “He helped reimagine what medical leadership in Nigeria could look like—visionary, inclusive, and globally connected.”

As the new TB therapy centre begins operations, it stands not only as a healthcare facility but as a monument to the power of purposeful leadership. In honouring Prof. Bode, LUTH has also made a bold statement about the kind of future it seeks to build—one rooted in service, excellence, and lasting impact.

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