Fresh protest rocks OAUTHC over sustability test as management moves venue to army barrack

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

Sacked workers of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, on Friday resumed their protest at the hospital premises following the failure of the management to reverse the decision to lay off the workers.

It would be recalled that more than 1500 workers of the hospital were laid off by the Federal Government after irregularities was discovered in their recruitment process.

The protesting workers shut down the main gates of the hospital and prevented human and vehicular movement in and out of the complex.

It was gathered that the workers were protesting the decision of the management to relocate the venue for the suitability test for a few workers that would be considered for employment.

A circular issued by the management and dated March 7, 2024, had asked workers who applied as Hospital Consultant, Dental Technologist, Registrar, Health Attendant, Medical Officer, Administrative Officer, Pharmacist, Accountant, Nursing Officer, Health Records Officer, Radiographer, Assistant Catering Officer, Medical Laboratory Scientist, Programme/System Analyst, Physiotherapist, Motor Driver/Mechanic, Dietician, Assistant Craftsman, Medical Laboratory Technologist/Technician, Assistant Technical Officer (Electrical and Biomedical), Health Records Technologist/Technician to assemble at the Command Day Secondary School, Army Barrack, Ara Road, Ede, Osun State on March 9, 2024 for their suitability test.

It was gathered that the angry workers had recently stormed the venue of the test and disrupted the exercise through protest.

There had been a face-off between security agents and the protesters at the hospital premises during which some workers were arrested and later released.

Upon hearing that the management had relocated the venue of the interview and test to military environment, the sacked workers regrouped and warned their colleagues from attending the suitability test.

Tagged: “Re: Implementation of the Year 2022 Approved Waiver,” the management, in the circular, said, “Given the crisis that followed the earlier slated interview, the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, Abuja has taken over the conduct and conclusion of the recruitment exercise under the June 2022 recruitment waiver as granted by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

“Consequently, these are the details for the suitability test; Venue: Command Day Secondary School, Army Barrack, Ara Road, Ede, Osun State.

Date: Saturday, 9th March, 2024.

Arrival Time: 7:00 a.m.

“You are to come with the following documents both in original and photocopies to the venue: (i) Letter(s) of Appointment; (iii) Credentials; (ii) Birth Certificate/Declaration of Age; (iv) HP Pencil.”