Why we introduced Executive MBA in health sciences programme — UNIMED

Management of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, has disclosed that the newly introduced Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Health Sciences programme will help the country to foster development at different levels of governance.

Leroy Edozien, Dean, Faculty of Health Law and Humanities of the university, who disclosed this in an interview with BusinessDay on Wednesday, said the programme which is adjudged the first in the country was introduced by the university to produce health professionals with knowledge in management science and also avail sound knowledge of health management and education for management experts, especially those occupying key political and managerial positions in both public and private sectors in the country.

According to him, the initiative of the university was to produce health professionals who would be acquainted with sound knowledge of management science and administrative skills.

Edozien, who informed that the Senate of the university under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Ebunoluwa Adejuyigbe, had made necessary arrangements for the take off of the programme, also hinted that the academic curriculum of the course was designed in line with the standard of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

The don noted that the new programme would provide ample opportunity for political office holders, including legislators at all levels, captains of industries, management consultants and other professionals to have both knowledge of management and health at the same time.

He said, “The Executive MBA in Health Management will focus on management in the health sector. And it’s also an executive course. So it is slightly different from the usual Master’s degree programme in the way it was designed. The programme is targeted at people who are in leadership positions administratively, executives in the health sector and in particular, people who are aspiring to the highest levels of executive leadership.

“Today’s health systems demand more than competence. They demand visionary leaders who can optimise resources, drive productivity, and navigate the complex intersection of healthcare, technology, finance, and human behaviour. If you’re ready to rise to that challenge, the Executive MBA in Health Management at the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo City, is your gateway to the next level of leadership.

“Why does this programme matter? Healthcare is evolving rapidly. From digital transformation to workforce challenges, from financing pressures to pressure by regulators, modern health organisations need executives who can think strategically and act decisively.

“We are targeting clinicians who are going into leadership positions or already in leadership positions. We’re talking about hospital managers, health managers, people working with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Ministries of Health officials and so on. And the clinicians who are involved don’t necessarily have to be doctors.

“It is important to know that we need people to manage the health system effectively. You can have all the resources in the world, but if you don’t have the appropriate management and the appropriate leadership, you’re not going to get to the desired destination.

“Gone are the days when you just picked a doctor from somewhere and made him the Chief Medical Director of the hospital. All they’ve ever known in their lives is just how to attend to a patient in a clinic, how to do an operation in a theatre, and they are put into this leadership position. Or somebody comes out of university with a degree in History or Sociology and becomes Director of Human Resources and so on, learning on the job. That era has changed. Now, one must acquire the requisite management training for him or her to hold vital leadership and administrative positions.

“Management has become more complex. So, those who pass through this programme are expected to have sound management training, which will be useful for them in their day-to-day administrative affairs. There will be people who will be teaching them organisational behaviour, Organisational Economics and so on. So, all of these will be skills that people will be acquiring.

“This programme equips you with the advanced managerial and analytical skills required to lead effectively in this dynamic environment. The programme highlights fully online delivery, and this means you can study from anywhere in the world while balancing your professional and personal commitments.

“This is designed for working professionals seeking career acceleration without career interruption. Built to strengthen your leadership capacity across the full spectrum of health systems management. Our core courses include: Entrepreneurship Development, Corporate Strategy, Organisational Behaviour, Health Information Management, Healthcare Finance, Health Sociology, Human Resource Management, Health Law and Managerial Economics. And each course is crafted to sharpen your ability to innovate, manage people and processes, understand health data, navigate legal frameworks, and design strategies that improve organisational performance.

“Anyone seeking to shape the future of healthcare delivery with the Executive MBA in Health Management, you won’t just earn a degree, you’ll gain the strategic mindset and executive presence required to make a remarkable impact.”