UCH Holds Health and Safety Day Hospital-Wide Grand Round

The University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, in collaboration with the UCH Health and Safety Committee, held its Hospital-Wide Grand Round and 2026 Health and Safety Day Symposium on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at the Emeritus Professor Theophilus Ogunlesi Multi-Purpose Hall, South Campus, UCH.

This year's event, which was themed Personal Protection for Hospital Workers, had in attendance the management and various categories of staff and students within the hospital.

In her welcome address, Chairperson of the Health and Safety Committee, Prof. Folashade Omokhodion, said Health and Safety Day is an annual programme aimed at creating awareness on health and safety among hospital workforce.

Prof. Omokhodion traced activities of committee since its inception in 2014, noting previous editions had focused on biosafety, handwashing, workplace accidents, work-life balance and workers' wellbeing. She recalled that in 2018, committee trained 70 departmental safety representatives across hospital.

She further disclosed Department of Occupational Health and Safety was commissioned in March 2026 by Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Dr. Ipalibo Banigo. According to her, department is positioned to provide health and safety services for hospital and industrial workers.

Prof. Omokhodion stressed this year's focus was to help individuals protect themselves from known hospital hazards, noting that "Health and Safety is everyone's responsibility and not just that of Management."

Event featured presentations by four experts on critical areas of hospital safety: Prof. Samuel Fayemiwo, Head of Department of Medical Microbiology, spoke on Personal Protection from Biohazards, while Dr. Bidemi Akinlade, Medical Physicist and Radiation Safety Officer, spoke on Radiation Protection. Dr. Tawakalit Salam, Deputy Head, Special Duties Unit, delivered lecture titled Ensuring Safe Work Practices, while Mrs. Anuoluwapo Oyewole, Deputy Director, Public Health Nursing, centred her presentation on Immunisation Requirements for Hospital Workers.

Chief Medical Director, Prof. Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo, described theme as timely and significant, noting while health workers protect patients, their own safety must not be overlooked.

"A hospital is a place of healing, but it can also expose its workers to a wide range of occupational hazards," he said, listing biological, chemical, physical, ergonomic, psychological and psychosocial hazards.

"Personal protection, therefore, goes beyond simply wearing personal protective equipment. It is a culture and a responsibility," Prof. Otegbayo said.

CMD also emphasised mental and emotional well-being of workers, noting continuous exposure to emergencies and heavy workload can take toll on staff.

He assured management will continue to support occupational health and safety initiatives, adding UCH must set standard not only in clinical care but also in protecting its workforce.