The Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has officially approved the appointment of Dr. Michael Olumide Gbala as the substantive Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), Ondo, making him the second CMD in the history of the tertiary health institution.
Dr. Gbala’s appointment followed a rigorous and competitive selection process in which he emerged as the top candidate among several qualified applicants. He was until his latest appointment the Hospital’s Acting CMD, where his outstanding leadership, experience, and dedication to healthcare delivery earned him commendation and ultimately confirmed his appointment.
A Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist with a subspecialty in Materno-Fetal Medicine, Dr. Gbala brings over two decades of clinical, academic, and administrative experience to the role.
He is a pioneer medical administrator, having served as the founding Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) of UNIMEDTH and the former CMD of the award-winning Mother and Child Hospital, Ondo. He also played a foundational role in academia as the founding Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, and currently serves as a Visiting Associate Professor at Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State.
Dr. Gbala is a passionate researcher with over 60 peer-reviewed publications to his name, focusing largely on maternal health, particularly the prevention of maternal mortality from hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. His scholarly contributions recently earned him an award from the Obafemi Awolowo University Alumni Worldwide in recognition of his leadership as Acting CMD.
He holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and completed his postgraduate training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at both the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).
Dr. Gbala is a Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons (FWACS), the West African College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (FWACOG), and the International College of Surgeons (FICS). He also holds fellowships and certifications in Human Resource Management, including the FCIHRM and ChHRC, and is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM). Additionally, he holds a Certificate in Leadership and Management in Health from the University of Washington, USA, and a Diploma in Theology from the Redeemed Christian Bible College.
Throughout his career, Dr. Gbala has made significant contributions to public health and health policy. He served as a Medical Consultant to the UNIMEDTH Edict Drafting Committee, Secretary of the Health Technical Working Group for the Ondo State COVID-19 Inter-Ministerial Committee, Site Coordinator of the WHO ACTION 3 Trial, and Project Director for the APIN HIV Prevention and Treatment Program.
In 2021, he led UNIMEDTH’s technical support team to assist the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) in securing NUC accreditation for its Medicine and Surgery program, further solidifying his reputation as a capable and visionary leader in the Nigerian health sector.
Beyond his medical career, Dr. Gbala is a Senior Pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and currently serves as the Assistant Pastor in Charge of Province (Administration) in RCCG Ondo Province 2. He is married to Pastor Mrs. Patience Gbala, and they are blessed with children.
Dr. Gbala’s appointment marks a new chapter in the growth and consolidation of UNIMEDTH as a leading center of medical excellence, research, and training in Nigeria and West Africa.
UNIMEDTH MANAGEMENT HAILS APPOINTMENT
The management of the Teaching Hospital has described as a welcome development the confirmation of Dr Gbala’s appointment as the substantive Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), Ondo State, by Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.
In a Press Release signed by the Hospital’s Spokesman, Mr Oluwatope Akinjide, the Management congratulated Dr Gbala for the well-deserved appointment considering his innovative efforts at improving the tertiary health institution since he was the Acting CMD.
The UNIMEDTH management also expressed appreciation to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for the appointment to enable Dr Gbala to take the hospital to the next level.
“To have His confirmation and appointment is in consideration of his qualifications, experience and hard work of medical practice amongst others, over the years.”
ADOLFRIC CONGRATULATES DR GBALA OLUMIDE ON HIS APPOINTMENT AS SUBSTANTIVE CHIEF MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF UNIMED TEACHING HOSPITAL BY GOVERNOR AIYEDATIWA
The Board of Trustees, Directors, and entire management of the Adolescent Friendly Research Initiative and Care (ADOLFRIC; adolfric.org.ng ) have extended heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Olumide Michael Gbala (popularly called OMG; Oh My God!) on his appointment as the substantive Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), Ondo State, by Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.
A press statement, Tosin Olowo
Director of Corporate Affairs and Social Responsibility, ADOLFRIC; says Dr. Gbala, a long-time friend and staunch supporter of ADOLFRIC, has consistently demonstrated unusual commitment to the organization’s growth through technical assistance, in-kind donations, strategic networking, and impactful partnerships. His selfless contributions have significantly strengthened ADOLFRIC’s mission to improve adolescent health in Nigeria.
A Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist with a subspecialty in Materno-Fetal Medicine, Dr. Gbala emerged the best candidate from a highly competitive selection process, following an exemplary tenure as Acting CMD. With over 60 peer-reviewed publications, his research has centered on reducing maternal mortality, particularly from hypertensive disorders and eclampsia in pregnancy-efforts that partly recently earned him accolades from the Obafemi Awolowo University Alumni Worldwide.
In his congratulatory message, the CEO of ADOLFRIC, Prof. Olofinbiyi Babatunde, expressed firm confidence in Dr. Gbala’s innate brilliance, wisdom, and administrative acumen to transform UNIMEDTH into a leading center of excellence. He urged the new CMD to balance assertiveness with empathy, value every member of the hospital team irrespective of cadre and nature of work, and forge an unprecedented synergy between the hospital, the university, and relevant state ministries for the global advancement of both institutions.
“Dr. Gbala is not just a leader; he is a visionary whose leadership will redefine academic medicine and healthcare delivery in Ondo State and beyond,” Prof. Olofinbiyi Babatunde affirmed.
DR. MICHAEL AKINTOMIDE AJILO CONGRATULATES DR. MICHAEL OLUMIDE GBALA AS CHIEF MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF UNIMED TEACHING HOSPITAL
Dr. Michael Akintomide AJILO has congratulated Dr. Michael Olumide Gbala who has just been officially appointed by the Government of Ondo State as the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), Ondo, having previously served as CMD in Acting capacity.
In his congratulatory message to the experienced Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist, the Ondo born renowned public health expert, confident in the clinical, academic, and medical administrative rich experience of the new UNIMEDTH CMD to consolidate on his leadership prowess in making the tertiary healthcare facilities, the best in Africa.
Dr. Ajilo has since thanked Gov. Aiyedatiwa for his confident in the professional acumen and leadership qualities of Dr Gbala’s calibre, to head the UNIMEDTH, aiming at delivering quality healthcare services in line with his healthcare reform blueprint embedded in ‘OUR-EASE’ agenda of his administration.
The founder of MADE Foundation wished the founding Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) of UNIMEDTH and former CMD of Mother and Child Hospital, Ondo, a resounding success in office as he will continue to commit and dedicate his time and expertise to the healthcare delivery to the benefits of mankind.
