UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital: Management denies privatisation plan, assures workers of job security
By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo
The management of the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, has dismissed reports that the hospital is being privatised, saying the proposed arrangement is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) aimed at improving healthcare delivery.
The management made the clarification in a rejoinder on Friday following a report published by some national newspapers alleging that workers of the hospital were threatening to embark on strike over a proposed privatisation plan.
According to the management, the proposed PPP has been approved by the Osun State Government and is not intended to sell off any department of the hospital.
It said the partnership was designed to strengthen the hospital’s capacity, provide modern equipment, ensure regular availability of reagents and other consumables, and improve patient care.
The management added that similar arrangements were already being operated in some teaching hospitals in Ile-Ife, Ibadan and other parts of the country, stressing that the laboratory of the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital would remain functional.
It also assured workers that the proposed partnership would not lead to job losses.
“Management wishes to categorically assure all staff that no staff of UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital will be sacked or displaced as a result of the PPP,” it said.
According to the management, the partnership would instead create opportunities for staff training, provide better working tools and improve service conditions.
On the allegation that interviews had been conducted for private laboratory workers, the management described the claim as misleading.
It explained that the exercise was a routine manpower needs assessment carried out as part of discussions surrounding the proposed partnership.
“No private laboratory has been established and discussions on the PPP are still ongoing and inconclusive,” the management said.
It added that the position was also confirmed by the Chairman of the Governing Board, Hon. Niyi Owolade.
The management said it had continued to engage the Joint Action Committee (JAC) and other stakeholders on the matter, stressing that it remained committed to resolving the concerns surrounding the proposed arrangement through dialogue.
It explained that a meeting scheduled with the Governing Board on Thursday could not hold because of an ongoing meeting which was not anticipated at the time.
The management, however, said the Governing Board remained committed to meeting with the unions to address the outstanding issues.
It also appealed to workers under JAC not to shut down the hospital, warning that industrial action could have serious consequences for patients who depend on the facility for medical care.
“Shutting down the hospital will only inflict hardship on our patients who are mostly the less privileged,” the management said.
It expressed confidence that the issues surrounding the PPP could be resolved through dialogue without resorting to industrial action.
The management assured the people of Osun State that the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital remained open and committed to providing quality, affordable and uninterrupted healthcare services to patients.
It said its commitment to effective healthcare delivery remained unchanged.