Strike over hospital organogram unnecessary, FUTA Teaching Hospital tells NUAHP

Following the strike action undertaken by the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) Teaching Hospital over the newly introduced organogram, management has defended its restructuring process, describing the industrial action as unnecessary and avoidable.

The hospital management, in a statement issued by the Head of Public Relations Unit, Tope Fayehun, said the organogram was developed as part of efforts to align the institution with operational standards obtainable in federal teaching hospitals across Nigeria, following its transition from a state-owned teaching hospital to a federal teaching hospital.

According to Fayehun, the union opposed aspects of the restructuring, including the non-creation of a separate Department of Medical Laboratory Services and the appointment of two Deputy Chairmen of the Medical Advisory Committee for Clinical and Diagnostic Services.

The statement read: “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 the operational structures obtainable in standard Federal Teaching Hospitals across Nigeria.

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

“Contrary to the claims of the Union, Management has at no time acted outside the provisions of extant public service rules, relevant circulars, legal statutes, or approved Schemes of Service.

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“The appointments and administrative adjustments made so far were carefully designed to strengthen institutional coordination and ensure effective service delivery across all professional departments and units within the hospital.”

The management maintained that all administrative adjustments and appointments were carried out in line with approved Schemes of Service, extant public service rules, and operational standards guiding federal health institutions.

The hospital said several meetings were held with the union leadership to resolve the dispute, while a bipartite committee involving representatives of both management and the union was also constituted to address lingering concerns over the organogram and other related issues.

It added that both parties had jointly reached 23 resolutions after deliberations, including assurances of mutual respect and professional harmony among workers within the pathology departments.

The management expressed surprise that the union proceeded with the strike action and revived its demand for a separate Department of Medical Laboratory Services outside the structure obtainable in most federal teaching hospitals nationwide, despite the agreement.

The management warned that the industrial action could disrupt healthcare services and affect patients receiving treatment at the hospital, urging the union leadership to embrace dialogue and lawful engagement in resolving outstanding issues.

It reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, staff welfare, and quality healthcare delivery, while pledging to maintain cordial relationships with all professional groups within the institution.

“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.

“Furthermore, it is important to state that the affected staff remain employees of the Ondo State Government pending the completion of their full transition into the Federal Teaching Hospital system.

“Management therefore urges the Union leadership to embrace dialogue, professionalism, and lawful engagement rather than actions capable of disrupting critical healthcare services to the helpless patients who need serious care at this period.”