The Federal University of Technology Akure Teaching Hospital (FUTATH) in Ondo State has secured Federal Government approval for the take-off of 1,200 workers that will form the core workforce of the newly transitioned facility.

Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the institution, Prof. Olusegun Ojo, disclosed this yesterday, while briefing newsmen on the transition process, which has been underway since the Federal Government took over the former UNIMED Teaching Hospital, Akure.

According to Ojo, the approval, which was endorsed by the Office of the Head of Service (HoS) and subsequently forwarded to the Office of the Accountant-General (AG), represents a major leap in the hospital’s move from state to federal control.

The CMD explained that the approved number of members of staff was arrived at after sustained advocacy, as initial proposals had fallen far short of what a teaching hospital of a federal outlook requires.

Ojo, who stated that the payroll process would be completed soon to have salaries commence by the end of August, said that the Ondo State Government had continued to bear salary costs under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

He said: “‎My responsibility is to ensure that everyone approved for this hospital is placed on the payroll as quickly as possible because the Ondo State Government has continued to bear the burden of paying salaries under the terms of the MoU until the Federal Teaching Hospital assumes full responsibility.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has given Ondo State an important federal institution in the form of this teaching hospital. We are determined to lay a solid foundation and work tirelessly to attract every support necessary so that residents no longer have to travel elsewhere for quality healthcare services.”

The CMD, while addressing recent protests and disruptions that occurred during the capturing exercises, attributed the development to widespread misunderstanding of the MoU’s provisions.

According to him, some members of staff and labour leaders had wrongly assumed that all existing employees would be automatically absorbed, whereas the MoU clearly stipulated that only those found suitable would be selected.

He also disclosed that false employment letters had been issued by unauthorised persons, creating unrealistic expectations among job seekers and fuelling anger that was misdirected at the hospital leadership.

Ojo further stressed that the hospital still faces some challenges, including inadequate office and clinical space, a shortage of essential equipment, and a disproportionate ratio of support staff to clinical personnel, noting that federal guidelines recommend a 70:30 clinical to support ratio.