… Vows to ensure patients care

The management of FUTA Teaching Hospital, Akure, Ondo State, has expressed concern over the ongoing industrial action embarked upon by some members of the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP).

According to the management of the teaching hospital, the development is already compromising patient safety and undermining essential healthcare delivery at the facility.

In a statement issued by the medical institution’s Head of Public Relations Unit, Tope Fayehun, it was stressed that the strike is unwarranted, emphasizing that the situation has created a diagnostic logjam affecting all clinical departments that rely on laboratory investigations for disease confirmation and emergency response.

The statement read in parts, “Management regrets the inconveniences and distress this illegal situation may have caused patients and their families and is actively implementing contingency measures to minimize disruption to healthcare services across the institution.

“Management reiterates that all administrative decisions taken by the hospital have consistently been guided by extant public service rules, relevant government circulars, and the hospital’s approved schemes of service.

“These actions were undertaken solely in the interest of strengthening institutional governance, enhancing operational efficiency, and improving patient care delivery.

“The hospital further notes that previous engagements between management and union representatives yielded 23 mutually agreed resolutions aimed at promoting professional harmony, industrial peace, and improved healthcare outcomes. These resolutions remain valid and available for reference and implementation.

“Management strongly dissociates itself from any conduct capable of endangering patient safety, disrupting essential health services, or compromising the security of government property within the hospital environment.

“The hospital also clarified that the directive requiring staff to submit office and access keys to the Security Unit during periods of industrial action is not a punitive measure but a long-standing administrative and security protocol established by a previous administration and reaffirmed by the current management. The directive is intended to safeguard hospital facilities, protect sensitive medical equipment, and ensure accountability for public assets during periods of service disruption.

“Past experiences during industrial disturbances had unfortunately recorded incidents involving theft and unauthorized removal of hospital property, making such preventive measures necessary in the overall interest of the institution and the public it serves.

“Management would still appeal to the leadership of NUAHP to place patient welfare above all other considerations and reconsider actions of impeding critical clinical services.

“We remain committed to maintaining essential healthcare services through alternative operational arrangements and will continue to provide regular updates to staff, patients, and the general public.

“FUTA Teaching Hospital appreciates the understanding, patience, and support of members of the public during this period and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to quality healthcare delivery, institutional accountability, and industrial harmony.”