The Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) has inaugurated a newly constructed Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) centre aimed at improving tuberculosis care and diagnosis in the country.
The commissioning, which took place last week, served as a tribute to Prof. Christopher Bode, who officially retired from service after years of distinguished leadership as the former Chief Medical Director of the institution.
According to the hospital management, the centre was developed to address the growing need for better tuberculosis control through faster diagnostics, more efficient patient management, and an improved working environment for healthcare staff.
The project is seen as a strategic response to the public health burden of TB and an investment in long-term healthcare infrastructure that prioritises both patients and providers.
Speaking at the event, the current CMD of LUTH, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, said the centre was a legacy project honouring Bode’s visionary leadership, integrity, and dedication to healthcare transformation.
He explained that aligning the commissioning with Bode’s 70th birthday was a deliberate tribute to his impact on institutional growth and described the new centre as a physical representation of the former CMD’s foresight and commitment to institutional development.
The centre is a two-storey building designed to streamline outpatient services and provide a supportive environment for TB treatment. Each level of the building had been carefully planned to improve workflow and accommodate various clinical and administrative needs.
From spacious waiting areas to consulting rooms, laboratories, and a pharmacy, the centre was built to support comprehensive TB care and comes with essential infrastructure such as backup power systems, borehole water supply, and a sputum collection room to ensure uninterrupted services and support infection control.
Meanwhile, at Bode’s retirement ceremony, tributes poured in from colleagues, students, and university leadership, each reflecting on the profound impact he had on both clinical practice and healthcare management in Nigeria.
Speakers recalled his exceptional service in paediatric surgery, his mentorship of young doctors, and his pivotal role in expanding hospital facilities.
The Head of Surgery at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Prof. Adesoji Ademuyiwa, described him as a principled leader who approached every challenge with a focus on solutions and sustainability.
Chairing the event, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, expressed the institution’s appreciation for Bode’s years of selfless service, especially in academic leadership and paediatric surgery.
Ogunsola also reflected on how Bode’s work had transformed not only the physical structures of institutions like LUTH but had also shifted the narrative surrounding medical leadership.
She credited him with contributing to the growing reputation of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, which she now regarded as one of the best medical schools in Nigeria and across Africa. His contributions, she said, went beyond infrastructure; they extended to shaping systems, mentoring young professionals, and fostering global collaboration.
She further acknowledged his role in bridging the gap between local and international medical communities, highlighting his efforts in guiding returning diaspora professionals and integrating them into the Nigerian system.
