— Says strike, unnecessary, not in patients’ interest

By Dayo Johnson Akure

The management of FUTA Teaching Hospital, Akure, has described the strike by the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) as “unnecessary and avoidable,” saying the industrial action disrupts patient care and ignores agreements reached with the union.

In a statement by Head of Public Relations, Tope Fayehun, management said the new organogram was developed to align the hospital with operational standards in Federal Teaching Hospitals nationwide following its transition from a state-owned institution to a federal one.

Fayehun said the union opposed parts of the restructuring, including the decision not to create a separate Department of Medical Laboratory Services and the appointment of two Deputy Chairmen of the Medical Advisory Committee for Clinical and Diagnostic Services.

He said that “For the avoidance of doubt, following the transfer of the hospital to the Federal Government and the ongoing transition from a UNIMED Teaching Hospital to a Federal Teaching Hospital, management developed an organogram consistent with structures in standard Federal Teaching Hospitals across Nigeria,” he said.

“The objective is to ensure administrative efficiency, professional harmony, and improved healthcare delivery in line with global best practices.”

Management said all appointments and adjustments followed approved Schemes of Service, public service rules, and circulars guiding federal health institutions.

It added that several meetings and a bipartite committee were held with union leaders, producing 23 resolutions on mutual respect and professional harmony, particularly in pathology departments.

Fayehun expressed surprise that the union went ahead with the strike and revived the demand for a separate Department of Medical Laboratory Services, despite the resolutions and against the structure used in most Federal Teaching Hospitals.

Management warned that the strike could disrupt healthcare services for patients undergoing treatment and urged the union to embrace dialogue and lawful engagement.

It reaffirmed commitment to fairness, staff welfare, and quality care while maintaining cordial relations with all professional groups.

“Management therefore views the current strike action as unnecessary, avoidable, and not in the overall interest of patients, healthcare delivery, and the smooth transition of the hospital into a world-class Federal Teaching Hospital,” the statement said.

Fayehun noted that affected staff remain employees of the Ondo State Government pending full transition into the federal system, and urged the union to prioritize dialogue over actions that could affect patients in need of care.