Confusion as aggrieved workers shut Abuja National Hospital

Medical services at the National Hospital, Abuja were on Tuesday brought to a halt following protests by over 100 staff members over alleged non-implementation of the approved condition of service by the management and other issues.

The workers under the auspices of National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria and Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions, brought the hospital to a standstill from 8am and noon.

The aggrieved workers also accused the hospital’s Director of Administration, Mr. James Odiba, of staying in office beyond the 35 years stipulated by the civil service rule.

They also showed journalists details of a 21-day notice of action issued to the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. B. B. Shehu, on January 17, 2013, indicating that they would commence indefinite industrial action.

They said Tuesday’s action marked the commencement of a three-day preliminary warning strike.

In the letter to the hospital management, the workers said, “Please recall our incessant complaints about the disregard and the non-implementation of the National Hospital’s condition of service document as approved by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation in the year 2010.

“The continuous disregard for public service rules, schemes of service of other health professionals as well as the setting aside of our approved condition of service by the management team of the National Hospital has been a source of serious concern to our members.

“It is noteworthy to state that the report of the committee on re-appraisal of staff appointment and provision of standard condition of service for National Hospital Abuja, section VII, page 7 states that ‘management of the hospital should obtain schemes of service of similar hospitals and set up an in-house committee to work out the details, which should be submitted for consideration by the office of the Head of Service of the Federation.”



-- Punch