Osun Seeks Truce Over UNIOSUNTH Workers’ Planned Strike

The Osun State Government has appealed to health workers at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, UNIOSUNTH, Osogbo, to suspend their planned strike over the hospital’s proposed Public-Private Partnership arrangement.

The appeal follows a protest by several health workers who opposed plans to introduce private participation into some services at the teaching hospital. The unions had warned that they could commence industrial action if their concerns were not addressed before the expiration of their ultimatum.

The dispute centres on a proposed PPP arrangement that the hospital management says is intended to improve the efficiency and delivery of certain services.

Workers, however, have raised concerns about the process adopted by the management, particularly what they described as inadequate consultation with the affected unions.

The protesting workers include members of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Medical and Health Workers Union, Non-Academic Staff Union, Senior Staff Association and Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals.

The unions have demanded greater transparency regarding the proposed arrangement, including access to the Memorandum of Understanding between the hospital and prospective private partners.

They also questioned the decision to pursue private laboratory services when the hospital already operates an existing laboratory. According to the workers, providing the necessary reagents and consumables would enable existing staff to improve service delivery.

The unions further argued that the proposed arrangement could affect other areas of the hospital, including radiology, intensive care, mortuary, kitchen and security services.

Their position followed a protest during a meeting of the hospital’s governing board, where workers called for their concerns to be addressed before the PPP process proceeds.

The chairman of the UNIOSUNTH governing board, Niyi Owolade, said the PPP initiative had received approval from Governor Ademola Adeleke. He maintained that such partnerships were already being used by other teaching hospitals to improve healthcare services.

Owolade also indicated that the disagreement could be resolved through further engagement with the unions, saying discussions would continue.

The latest development has therefore shifted attention towards negotiations between the hospital management and the affected unions, with both sides expected to seek a resolution before the proposed industrial action takes effect.