UNIOSUN Hospital Workers Protest PPP Deal, Threaten Strike

On Thursday, staff members of the Osun State University Teaching Hospital in Osogbo protested against plans to privatize laboratory services, disrupting a Governing Board meeting chaired by Mr Niyi Owolade. The protest involved members from various unions, including the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives and the Medical Health Workers Union, who threatened to strike unless their demands were met.

Olumide Faniran, speaking for the unions, expressed concerns over the lack of transparency regarding the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with potential partners for the PPP. Despite a prior agreement to maintain the status quo, the hospital management conducted interviews for new private laboratory workers, which fueled the unrest.

The unions, united under the Joint Action Committee, criticized the management for not engaging stakeholders and for the ongoing rivalry between doctors and other health professionals. The meeting intended for 10 am was postponed, with the Board requesting written demands instead of engaging directly with the protesting staff.