Workers of the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, on Thursday protested against plans to introduce a Public-Private Partnership arrangement for laboratory services at the hospital, threatening to embark on strike if their demands are not addressed.
The protest disrupted a meeting of the hospital’s Governing Board chaired by Niyi Owolade after members of several health-worker unions stormed the administrative building where the meeting was being held.
The protesting workers comprised members of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Medical and Health Workers’ Union, Non-Academic Staff Union, Senior Staff Association and Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals.
Speaking on behalf of the unions, Olumide Faniran said the workers were demanding details of the Memorandum of Understanding allegedly signed with the proposed private partners.
He said the unions had repeatedly asked management to provide details of the proposed Public-Private Partnership but had not been given the opportunity to properly examine the agreement.
“Actually, the agitation is over a Public-Private Partnership, PPP, which the leadership of the teaching hospital is embarking on. When you are undertaking something of that nature, you carry stakeholders along. The reverse is the case here,” Faniran said.
He alleged that the hospital had conducted interviews for workers to be engaged for the proposed private laboratory despite an earlier understanding with the unions that the status quo should remain.
Faniran said the unions were opposed to the arrangement because the hospital already had laboratory personnel and facilities capable of providing the service.
He also alleged that the proposed arrangement could eventually affect other departments and services, including radiology, intensive care, mortuary, kitchen and security.
The unions, according to him, had formed a Joint Action Committee to coordinate their opposition to the PPP.
Faniran said the workers were initially scheduled to meet the Governing Board at 10am but were later informed that the board would not meet with them and that they should submit their position in writing.
He said the development prompted the unions to proceed with the peaceful protest.
Highlighting the workers’ demands, Faniran said they would not accept the proposed PPP arrangement and insisted that available human resources should be properly utilised to strengthen services within the hospital.
He further said the unions could commence industrial action if their demands were not met before the expiration of their 14-day ultimatum.
“If they fail to adhere to our demands, we have no option but to embark on a strike on Monday because the 14-day ultimatum given earlier will expire by 11:59 pm on Sunday,” Faniran said.
Reacting, the chairman of the Governing Board, Owolade, assured that the disagreement would be resolved.
He said the PPP arrangement had been approved by the governor and that discussions with prospective partners were still ongoing.
“The board came to the conclusion, after approval by the governor, that we should have a Public Private Partnership, and we have started the discussion; it’s not yet completed,” Owolade said.
He added that the board was ready to engage the unions and explain the arrangement to them.
“We are meeting with the unions next week. The issue will be resolved next week,” he said.
The hospital has previously adopted PPP arrangements for some services, including renal dialysis, according to information published by the hospital.
The latest dispute therefore centres on whether the proposed laboratory partnership will improve service delivery or undermine existing staff and services.
The outcome of the planned meeting between the board and the unions is expected to determine whether the threatened strike will go ahead.
