FUTATH Workers Miss Meeting with Federal Health Officials

The meeting planned between officials of the Federal Ministry of Health and workers of the Federal University of Technology Akure Teaching Hospital (FUTATH) did not hold on Friday. This was due to the absence of labour unions.

The ministry called for this peace meeting after the unions threatened to strike. They were upset about the ministry not following the transition agreement made when the federal government took over the hospital from Ondo State.

Senior officials from the Federal Ministry of Health were ready to meet with workers and union leaders. The team was led by Igbinosun Festus, the Deputy Director and Residence Labour Desk Officer. But the meeting was cancelled unexpectedly.

This meeting aimed to address issues raised by workers at the newly transformed teaching hospital, which has faced several strikes in the past. When the government team arrived, they found a letter from the labour unions. The letter was dated July 23 and said they could not attend because of "unavoidable engagements."

The letter was signed by Clement Fatuase, the Ondo State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC). It was addressed to the leader of the intervention team and copied to the permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health. The labour leaders asked for the meeting to be rescheduled to a later date that would work for the minister’s representatives.

Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Director of FUTATH, Olusegun Ojo, praised the federal government for trying to resolve the disputes. He wants to restore peace at the hospital. Mr Ojo explained that the crisis started from changes made when the hospital transitioned from being under state control to a federal institution.

He said that while these changes are important for the hospital's growth, they have also caused disagreements with some union leaders. "Management has been implementing the approved Federal Teaching Hospital structure and administrative reforms as directed by the Federal Ministry of Health," he stated.

He added, "While these reforms are essential to the development of the hospital, they have unfortunately generated disagreements between some labour union leaders and us."

Mr Ojo assured everyone that the management has been talking with the union leaders through meetings. But he also regretted that the hospital has seen repeated strikes and disruptions to services before trying to solve the issues properly.

He pointed out that FUTATH is still developing as a federal institution. He mentioned that the government will keep investing in its growth, including paying staff salaries. He called for continued peace in the workplace, saying it is key for achieving the hospital’s goals in healthcare, teaching, and research.

"Our collective responsibility is to protect the interests of patients, staff, and the federal government by creating an environment that promotes uninterrupted healthcare services and institutional growth," the CMD said.

He added, "We therefore appeal for a peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues and a renewed commitment to dialogue, cooperation, and the continued development of the FUTA Teaching Hospital, Akure."

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Ondo State issued a seven-day strike notice to the hospital management. They accused the management of breaching the transition agreement and violating workers’ rights.

A letter signed by Ademola Olapade, the Ondo State NLC Chairman, and Clement Fatuase, the TUC Chairman, was addressed to the Chief Medical Director. The unions claimed that management violated the Memorandum of Understanding regarding the transition of the former State Specialist Hospital to FUTATH.

The unions mentioned that the ultimatum followed decisions made during a strategic meeting of organised labour and health sector unions in FUTATH on July 16. They warned that the alleged actions could threaten peace at the hospital.