The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), as part of their 2017 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference, honoured one of their trainers, Dr Babatunde Olofinbiyi. 

 

The award of “Friend of ARD” was bestowed on the Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist on the 15th of December, 2017; which is an unprecedented gesture in the history of residency training in the institution.

 

According to the ARD President, who is now the immediate past president of the association, Dr Tunji Olaoye, “It was unanimously decided by all the resident doctors to honour him and to recognize his mentorship and support for our members. His positive influence and impact are beyond his department, they cut across. He is a jolly good fellow”. 

 

Some of the resident doctors also mentioned how he had assisted them financially to be able to pay for their postgraduate exams and how he would keep calling to encourage them during their examinations. 

 

In addition, it was revealed that he statutorily hosts residents immediately they pass their exams to become senior registrars in a bid to celebrate their success. 

Present at the award dinner was the Chairman of EKSUTH Medical and Dental Consultant Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), Dr Abidemi Omonisi who also testified to the goodwill of Dr Olofinbiyi. He said, ‘Dr Olofinbiyi donates to the cause of MDCAN far more than is expected of him and he is always responsive to calls for financial assistance for the association anytime he is called upon”. 

 

In his own congratulatory message, the Chief Medical Director of EKSUTH, Dr Kolawole Ogundipe said, “Dr Olofinbiyi has distinguished himself worthy to all and sundry. It’s therefore not a surprise that he is honoured with the friend of the association award by ARD. Congratulations.

 

It is worthy of note to state that the medical profession has a tradition of master-servant relationship between the teachers/ senior colleagues and the students/ younger colleagues, which is contrary to the brotherhood spirit of the profession and Hippocratic Oath sworn to by medical doctors. Therefore, such exemplary leadership qualities deserve appreciation and emulation.

 

Recently, the same university don was honoured as the Patron of EKSUTH School of Nursing Student Union Government which further testifies to his exemplary leadership qualities. Dr Olofinbiyi is the Unit Head of Family Planning and Reproductive Health, the Residency Coordinator for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the Chairman Capacity Building Committee of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti.