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AKURE – Allegations by organised labour that Federal University of Technology Akure Teaching Hospital (FUTATH) failed to fulfill the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the Federal Government with Ondo State government while transferring the United Teaching Hospital annex to the Federal Government has been dismissed as false and misleading.
Dismissing allegations that some members of staff inherited from the state government by the Teaching Hospital were not captured in the IPPS capturing exercise, the Management of the Teaching Hospital described the allegations as false, misleading, unsubstantiated and capable of creating unnecessary tension within the hospital.
The organised labour had in a communiques issued on Thursday threatened to shut the hospital facilities.
According to a statement signed by the Head, Public Relations Unit of the Teaching Hospital, Tope Fayehun, on Friday, the Management categorically rejected every allegation contained in the communiqué of the union, maintaining that, throughout the transition of the hospital from Ondo State Government ownership to the Federal Government, it has acted strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) governing the process and all extant Federal Government regulations.
The hospital, therefore, challenged Organized Labour to publicly identify the specific clause or provision of the MoU that the Management had allegedly violated, stressing that allegations of such magnitude must be supported by verifiable facts and credible evidence rather than mere accusations.
Besides, the management also dismissed as entirely unfounded claims by the union that there was selective staff capturing.
The union also alleged that there was secret inclusion of non-staff members in the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
But the hospital management has challenged the union to provide credible evidence.
The alleged that the attitude of the labour union appeared to have been designed to misinform the public and erode confidence in an otherwise transparent administrative process.
However, the management reassured members of staff, patients and the general public that the IPPIS capturing exercise has been conducted transparently, fairly and strictly in line with procedures approved by the appropriate Federal Government authorities.
The statement reads in parts: “As a Federal Government health institution, matters relating to staff integration into the Federal payroll remain administrative processes being handled through established government channels and cannot be resolved through intimidation, disruption of hospital activities or industrial actions capable of jeopardising the delivery of essential healthcare services.
“The Management expressed concern that recent actions by some labour leaders, including disruptions to clinical services and attempts to interfere with the smooth operation of the hospital, have the potential to endanger patients who depend on the facility for life-saving medical care, emphasising that the welfare of patients must remain paramount at all times.”
Reaffirming its commitment to resolving every legitimate concern affecting members of staff, the Management maintained that constructive dialogue, mutual respect and adherence to due process remain the most appropriate means of addressing issues arising from the transition into the Federal system.
It also noted that “the people of Ondo State and members of staff are entitled to ask an important question of the leadership of Organized Labour: What exactly are they seeking to achieve? Is their objective genuinely the welfare and betterment of workers, or are they being drawn into a proxy fight driven by interests unrelated to the legitimate concerns of employees?
“The Management observed that there are indications that certain vested interests, motivated by political considerations and personal agendas, may be attempting to influence Organized Labour to pursue objectives that do not reflect the collective interests of workers.
“Such external influences, if allowed to prevail, could undermine the spirit of cooperation required for a successful transition into the Federal system,” the statement reads.
Nevertheless, the Teaching Hospital Management urged the Organized Labour, “if its actions are genuinely motivated by the welfare of workers, to embrace constructive engagement, present verifiable facts and pursue lawful dialogue with the appropriate Federal Government authorities rather than actions capable of disrupting healthcare services, creating unnecessary public anxiety and putting patients at risk.
“The people of Ondo State deserve a peaceful, stable and efficient healthcare system. It called on all stakeholders to support a smooth, transparent and lawful transition that safeguards both the welfare of staff and the interests of patients.”
The Management, therefore, reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, industrial harmony and the welfare of every legitimate member of staff.
It pledged to continue working with all relevant Federal Government agencies to ensure that every eligible employee receives fair treatment in accordance with extant regulations and the agreed transition framework.
Therefore, the management appealed to members of staff, patients and the general public to disregard the misleading allegations contained in the labour’s communiqué and remain calm, assuring them that hospital services remain fully operational and that the institution will continue to provide quality healthcare while upholding the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and excellence.
