UCH appointment: Health workers threaten nationwide strike

Onyebuchi

The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria on Monday warned of an imminent breakdown of industrial peace in the country’s health sector following an alleged illegal appointment at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

Consequently, the National Union of Pharmacists, Medical Laboratory Scientists and Professionals Allied to Medicine as well as the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions have issued a two-week ultimatum to the UCH management to meet their demands or they would go on strike.

The association is angered by the decision of the Medical Director of UCH, Prof. Temitope Alonge, to appoint a medical practitioner as Director of Laboratory Services.

The National President, AMLSN, Dr. Goodwill Okara, who issued the threat at a press briefing on the occasion of World Biomedical Laboratory Science Day, said if the anomalous appointment was not reversed before May 3 when the ultimatum would expire, medical laboratory scientists in UCH and other allied medical professionals would commence a full industrial action.

The NUPMLs-p-a-m is also against the creation of the position of Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, which it said was illegal.

Besides, the union accused the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, of aiding and abetting gross anomalies in the health sector, insisting that some people were holding the sector hostage.

Okara noted that the absence of justice, fairness and equity had made the sector a breeding ground for anarchy.

According to him, the situation in UCH, where the statutory scheme of service is set aside, is unacceptable.

He added that there was no justification for appointing a medical doctor in place of a medical laboratory scientist as the director of laboratory services.

Okara argued that medical laboratory scientists and the services they rendered contributed to maximising the effective delivery of patient care in today’s complex health care system.

He said, “Professional regulatory law, statutory scheme of service, National Medical Laboratory Services Policy and Prof. Akinkugbe’s committee report on strengthening the management and coordination of federal tertiary health institutions (2004), all clearly provide for Medical Laboratory Services Directorate in the Health ministries and hospitals headed by competent and experienced medical laboratory scientist.

“This is to ensure effective and efficient administration and management of laboratory services in Nigeria, and for services to be provided professionally and timely in patient-centred and equitable manner.”

Okara also stressed that in recent meetings, experts on healthcare delivery services had called on Nigerian physicians to acknowledge the multiple professional and multi-disciplinary nature of modern health care delivery.

“Unfortunately, some other physicians are obstructing the implementation of this well thought out policy of government for parochial interests. Regrettably enough, the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, is aiding and abetting this gross anomaly,” he added.

Citing the incident in UCH, where the CMD appointed a medical doctor to the position that ought to have been occupied by a medical laboratory scientist, Okara said, “It is to be noted that there is no provision whatsoever in the scheme of service of physicians for a medical practitioner to be appointed as Director, Laboratory Services. But it is in the statutory scheme of service for medical laboratory scientist.

“Indeed, the most senior deputy director, Laboratory Services in UCH was interviewed for promotion to the position of Director, Laboratory Services. But following agitations by some physicians, the Chief Medical Director pre-empted the outcome and hurriedly appointed a medical doctor to the position.




-- Punch