Protest at OAUTHC: Disengaged Staff Demand Reversal of Layoff Decision

The Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, OAUTHC, in Ile-Ife, was the scene of a protest on Friday as over 1500 disengaged staff gathered to voice their grievances. The workers had been laid off by the Federal Government due to alleged irregularities in their recruitment process.

The protesters were specifically opposing a circular issued by the hospital management, which announced an upcoming examination for certain positions. This decision prompted the disgruntled staff to block the main gates of the hospital, disrupting both human and vehicular traffic.

Samson Falope, one of the affected employees, revealed that the circular indicated the examination would take place on March 9 at the Command Day Secondary School in Army Barrack, Ede, Osun State. The staff members were adamant in their demand for the suspension of the examination, citing concerns over the recruitment process.

Despite the uproar, the Public Relations Officer of OAUTHC, Kemi Fasoto, confirmed that the examination would proceed as scheduled by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. The disengaged staff have reached out to relevant authorities, including the Ministry and the National Assembly, in hopes of finding a resolution to their plight.

As tensions continue to rise at OAUTHC, the fate of these workers hangs in the balance, awaiting intervention and a potential breakthrough in their struggle for justice and reinstatement.