FUTA teaching hospital condemns workers’ industrial action

The management of the Federal University of Technology, Akure Teaching Hospital (FUTA) in Ondo State has strongly condemned the industrial action initiated by the hospital's workers, declaring it illegal and unwarranted.

The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) commenced the strike, demanding the withdrawal of the hospital's organogram and the establishment of a separate Department of Medical Laboratory Services. The union also reportedly protested the appointment of two deputy chairmen for the Medical Advisory Committee.

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Management wishes to reassure patients, stakeholders, and the general public that patients’ welfare and uninterrupted healthcare delivery remain the hospital’s highest priorities.

In a statement, FUTA's Head of Public Relations, Tope Fayehun, asserted that the strike has significantly impacted routine and emergency diagnostic services. This disruption has led to delays in clinical decision-making and compelled some patients to incur additional costs seeking laboratory investigations outside the hospital. Management expressed regret for the inconvenience and distress caused by the situation.

FUTA management emphasized that all administrative decisions are guided by public service rules and approved schemes of service, undertaken to strengthen institutional governance, enhance efficiency, and improve patient care. They noted that previous engagements with union representatives resulted in 23 mutually agreed resolutions, which remain available for implementation. The hospital stressed its commitment to patient safety and uninterrupted healthcare delivery, implementing contingency measures to minimize disruptions.

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The illegal, unwarranted and wrong-headed industrial action has significantly affected routine and emergency diagnostic services, resulting in delays in clinical decision-making and compelling some patients to seek laboratory investigations outside the hospital at additional financial and logistical costs.