The Institute of Health Service Administrators of Nigeria (IHSAN), UBTH Chapter, has charged public servants to remain diligent and professional despite rapid changes in the healthcare system.
The call was made at its maiden public lecture held at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
The lecture, themed ‘Still Diligent: The Mindset of the Public Servant in a Healthcare System in Flux,’ was held at the Oba Akenzua Hall and drew administrators, medical professionals, academics and top management staff of UBTH and other health institutions.
Declaring the event open, the Chief Medical Director of UBTH, Prof. Idia Nibokun Ize-Iyamu, who was represented by the Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (Clinicals), Dr. Philip Osho, said the theme speaks to the realities of modern healthcare administration.
She commended IHSAN for creating a platform that promotes knowledge sharing and professional growth and pledged the hospital’s support for such initiatives.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of IHSAN, UBTH Chapter, Uwaila Ilesammi Joshua, said the lecture marked a milestone for the chapter. He said health service administrators are central to healthcare delivery because they connect people, processes, policies and resources.
Delivering the keynote lecture, Guest Speaker, Ven. Engr. Osazee David Egbenusi, said public servants must cultivate a mindset of continuous learning, ethical stewardship, service and resilience.
Egbenusi noted that digital transformation, health insurance reforms, brain drain, rising patient expectations and limited resources are reshaping the sector and administrators must upgrade their competencies to remain relevant.
‘Behind every file and every referral is a patient. Administrative decisions affect how patients experience the hospital,’ he said, urging participants to uphold integrity.
Special Guest of Honour, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Mrs. Aikefe Aigbavboa, also stressed professionalism and ethics in public service.
The lecture was well attended by management staff and stakeholders, including UBTH Director of Administration, Jim Uwadiae; Director of Nursing Services, Mrs. Grace Arheghan; former Director of Administration, Mr. M. O. Jimoh-Kadiri; former DCMAC, Dr. Fidelis Eki-Udoko; HOD Pharmacy, Dr. E. O. Yovwin; Prof. E. Enabudoso; Dr. Philomena Ogbogu and Dr. R. Okolie.
Others were Dr. Henry Egon of National Orthopaedic Hospital, Benin; UNIBEN lecturer, Mrs. Francisca Egbokhare; Mr. Joshua Esekhile of Lutron Medical Centre; Deputy Director of Administration, ISTH, Mr. G. Enaboifo and leaders of health unions.
Participants agreed that diligence, integrity and continuous capacity building remain critical to strengthening healthcare delivery in Nigeria.