Minister warns workers against petitions

Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, has warned workers of the Federal Nuero Psychiatric hospital, Benin City, against unfounded allegations, even as he stated that the medical centre was not a designation for politicking.

This was just as he expressed hope that the planned nationwide industrial action by the nurses would be shelve, because, according to him, “we had a meeting with them on the issue and I think the resolution of that meeting is enough for them not to go on strike”.

Chukwu who stated while on official visit to the Psychiatric hospital at the weekend, described workers penchant for embarking on strike  as ‘mischief’, “even when there is no issue or  when the said  issues can be resolved through dialogue”.

“There’s no gain when workers are on rampage or instigate media reports. I therefore implore trouble makers who want to play politics to resign because I will not tolerate such in a work place.
“But if you have genuine petitions, be bold enough to put your name; and I assure you that the petitions would be looked into”, he added.

He said the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Sunny Olotu, was eminently qualified for the plumb job and sued for workers’ cooperation.
According to him, “as one of the eight neuro federal psychiatric hospital, you have a great role to play as far as mental health is concern”.

The minster however expressed concern over the stigmatization of persons with mental disorder, adding, “this has made people not to be disposed to getting themselves the required treatment”.
Ealiar, the CMD of the hospital, Dr. Sunny Olotu stated the medical centre was poised to deliver qualitative mental health care and introduce sub-specialty in psychiatry.

Olotu said consultant psychiatrists are encouraged to sub-specialize or bias in community psychiatry, child adolescent psychiatry, drug addiction and treatment.