Staff of the Osun State University Teaching Hospital (UNIOSUNTH), Osogbo, have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike over a proposed Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement for medical services, raising concerns about the future of healthcare delivery at the institution.
The workers, under various health sector unions, staged a protest on Thursday, accusing the hospital management of excluding them from discussions surrounding the planned partnership. They argued that the move could undermine existing departments and negatively affect both workers and patients.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, a representative of the National Association of Nurses and Midwives (NANM), UNIOSUNTH chapter, Olumide Faniran, alleged that management failed to adequately engage medical health workers and non-academic staff unions before pursuing the initiative.
Faniran also claimed that despite requests from staff representatives, management had not provided copies of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) detailing the proposed arrangement.
According to him, the unions had previously reached an understanding with management that the existing structure should remain unchanged. However, concerns intensified after the hospital reportedly began interviewing prospective workers for a privately managed laboratory service.
The unions argued that the hospital’s current laboratory unit was already performing effectively and generating substantial revenue, making the proposed privatisation unnecessary.
Faniran warned that expanding private involvement could affect several key departments, including Radiology, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Mortuary, Kitchen and Security services, potentially disrupting operations within the hospital.
To resist the plan, the affected unions formed a Joint Action Committee and issued a 14-day ultimatum to management. They insisted that unless their concerns are addressed, they would proceed with an indefinite strike immediately after the ultimatum expires.
Responding to the allegations, Chairman of the UNIOSUNTH Board, Dr Niyi Owolade, confirmed that the PPP arrangement had received approval from Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke.
He defended the initiative, describing public-private partnerships as a common practice in modern healthcare systems aimed at improving efficiency and service delivery.
Owolade expressed optimism that the dispute would be resolved through dialogue, revealing that the board plans to meet with union leaders next week to address their concerns and restore industrial harmony.
As tensions rise, stakeholders are watching closely to see whether negotiations can avert a strike that could disrupt healthcare services for thousands of residents who depend on the teaching hospital.
