UCH Health Workers Begin Indefinite Strike Over Director’s Reinstatement

Health workers at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, have commenced an indefinite strike over the management’s alleged refusal to implement the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s recommendation on the disciplinary case involving the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Dr Adeyinka Ishola.

The industrial action, declared by the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, UCH chapter, began on Wednesday, September 16, following what the union described as the failure of several attempts to resolve the dispute through dialogue and negotiations.

The union is demanding the implementation of the ministry’s recommendation that Ishola be reprimanded and reinstated.

The dispute stems from the sale of a tricycle associated with the hospital’s Pharmacy Department. According to the union, an initial investigation by UCH management resulted in disciplinary action against Ishola, after which the matter was referred to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

NUAHP Chairman, Oladayo Olabampe, said the ministry subsequently constituted an independent investigative team that reached a different conclusion.

According to him, the panel found Ishola not guilty of any fraudulent act but held that he failed to properly carry the hospital management along in the sale of the tricycle. The ministry consequently recommended that he be reprimanded and reinstated rather than dismissed.

Olabampe accused UCH management of refusing to implement the ministry’s recommendation despite the ministry being the hospital’s supervisory authority.

The union chairman said members had issued two ultimatums and exhausted available avenues for dialogue before deciding to embark on the strike.

He maintained that the union was not opposed to disciplinary measures but insisted that due process should be followed.

The industrial action involves allied health professionals across several disciplines, including pharmacists, physiotherapists, medical laboratory scientists, radiographers, health information managers, medical social workers, environmental health officers and dental professionals.

The union said the strike would continue indefinitely until its demands are addressed.

The dispute could affect services at UCH, one of the major tertiary healthcare and medical training institutions serving patients in Ibadan and other parts of the region.