UCH Management Felicitates Prof. Olapade-Olaopa on Election as 5th President of WFME

The Management of the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, felicitates Prof. Emiola Oluwabunmi Olapade-Olaopa on his milestone achievement of being elected to be the 5th President of the World Federation For Medical Education (WFME) which tenure commences on January 1, 2027.

Prof. Olapade-Olaopa is the 11th Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, He is also the 23rd Head of Surgery Department, University of Ibadan and an Honorary Consultant Urologist to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

In his recent interview with the Media Unit of UCH, he started that, "The WFME is made up of the Medical Schools Associations coordinating Medical Education in the six global regions. It also has representation from the World Medical Association, WHO, the Junior Doctors Network and the International Federation of Medical Students. 

The Federation has the responsibility of representing the medical teaching institutions worldwide at global organizations such as the United Nations General Assembly, WHO, World Health Assembly, and Development Summits such as G7, G20 and Davos Economic Summits. 

Its other major role is developing and publishing global standards in Basic Medical Education, Post-graduate Medical Education, Accreditation of medical councils and Continuous Professional Development. Importantly, the Federation's global standards are principle-based to enable each region to domesticate the standards according to their own circumstances, particularly resources. "So it is impossible for you to apply the same rules as high income countries to low income countries". As the President " I will ensure equity and equality in the application of these standards.

He also stated that, "Health professionals education, particularly Medical Education has global standards with local application of those standards relevant to each region/country. This process is now referred to as 'glocalization'. 

In collaboration with other global health systems organizations, the Federation is also developing strategies directed at the peculiarities in medical education and practice within the six regions which has led to the major brain drain (Japa) syndrome in Africa and Asia.

In the world of Artificial Intelligence, Prof. Olapade-Olaopa, expressed that his tenure would encourage AI usage that suits the various regions, because it can only enhance human practices.

The Chief Medical Director, Prof. Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo, expressed his heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Olapade-Olaopa, noting that his contributions to health care services has been a remarkable one, which cannot be overemphasized.