Health workers under the umbrella of Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) Wednesday began a three day warning strike.
The striking workers are protesting against poor condition of service and dilapidated structure as well as obsolete equipment in the hospital.
Rising from an emergency congress of the union held in the Hospital, Chairman of UITH branch of JOHESU, Comrade Olutunde Oluwawumi, directed all members to leave their offices and go to their respective homes immediately until the management respond to their demands.
Addressing the members, Oluwawumi said the management of the hospital has refused to pay the three years promotion arrears of workers from 2018 to 2020 adding that “the management as at now is yet to conclude the promotion exercise of workers for 2021.
“The UITH management also refused to honour the Court judgement on the payment of ‘skipping arrears’ owed workers in 2010, 2011 and 2012, while Nurses Uniform arrears for one and half years is still pending.”
He also alleged that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has not been fully implemented in the hospital as drugs’ prescription for ailments were not always available in the pharmacy of the hospital.
He alleged that Nurses appointed as Heads of Department in acting capacities were yet to be confirmed after being in such post for more than six months while those that acquired higher education certificate were not elevated to their normal posts and not allowed to perform their functions.
Oluwawumi also called for renovation of dilapidated structure and fixing of breakdown facilities in the hospital while obsolete equipment should be replaced by the management.
Reacting to the situation , Head of Corporate Affairs Unit of UITH, Mrs Olabisi Ajiboye, said the management of the hospital is looking at the complaints of JOHESU and would soon issue a statement.
She said, “The management has received the complaints of JOHESU and it is looking into it. For now, we don’t have anything to say, but in due course, we will issue a statement.”
