By Kemi Olatunde
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The management of UNIMED Teaching Hospital, Ondo has frowned at the unnotified industrial strike embarked on by allied health workers under the umbrella of Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA) of the institution.
The management said that it was not against the strike by any means, stating that the abrupt withdrawal of services was not the best approach at this time.
This was contained in a statement signed by the hospital’s communication officer, Mr. Akinjide and made available on one of its social media pages which was copied by The Hope.
According to the statement; “Reports from other complex of the Teaching Hospital said Pharmacists, Laboratory Scientists, Health Information Managers have joined the strike, but the technicians were waiting for the professional bodies directives to join.
Few Directors were on standby to attend to critical cases at Accident and Emergency Unit and other units in the Teaching Hospital complex to avoid public outcry.
“The management opined that it is neutral, and no effort is on course to frustrate them.”
It said that Chairman Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), Dr Michael Gbala explained that in the critical situation the institution found itself, there is need for everyone to work together to salvage the vulnerables pleading with the workers not to close down services at the facility.
It also reads; “The Physician in charge (PIC) of Akure complex, Dr. Akintan Adesina said that A&E unit is working, Pharmacy, Health Information Management, Laboratory services, and physioterapy are not working, while few directors were trying their best to keep the departments running and the service points are working.
In Ondo Complex of Teaching Hospital, the (PIC) Dr. Akintade said that the A&E unit is working, and senior officers at the director level were in charge to avoid any shock or public embarrassment.
Dr. Michael Gbala encouraged the workforce to put all hand on deck not to allow the strike breed more challenging situation as it were. He said that another review shall be for next week Monday on 5th June, 2023, if the strike action continues.”
