FMC Owerri and its Endless Palaver

FMC OWERRI AND ITS ENDLESS PALAVER

        The last time I checked, the heat was really on within and outside the premises of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri, the Imo State capital. This was reportedly occasioned by the rowdy protest embarked upon by the workers of the establishment. The clamour wasn’t unconnected with the reinstatement of the hospital’s embattled Medical Director (MD), Dr. Angela Uwakwem.

        It would be recalled that same time penultimate year, or thereabouts, the staff in question comprising members of the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) as well as Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MAHWUN), staged a protest accusing the aforementioned MD of financial malfeasance and anti-labour policies, therein demanded for her immediate removal. Owing to the existed high level of indiscipline among the aggrieved staff, which transpired prior to the emergence of the current Health Minister – Prof. Isaac Adewale, the MD was asked to proceed on a compulsory annual leave while an ad-hoc committee was set-up to investigate the matter. In addition, an interim administration was appointed to oversee the management of the centre till further notice.

        Fascinatingly, the committee, having gone through thorough investigations, reported that there was no iota of corrupt offence traceable to the officer, or her office. It was shocking, perhaps interesting to acknowledge that the overwhelming allegation from the staff of about 2,500 individuals was considered as reckless and baseless by the panel; a revelation that triggered mixed feelings and counter-reactions from the concerned citizens, particularly Imolites.

        It’s noteworthy that, aside the allegation leveled against the MD, which contributed to both the previous and recent protests, reports equally had it that the Federal Government (FG) was making a frantic move to introduce a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in the hospital towards boosting the staff strength; a proposal that was strongly rejected by the relevant organized unions of the establishment, stating that most of the workers would be redundant under the PPP regime. Though the FG later jettisoned the move, the staff were still preoccupied with the notion that they might be taken unawares. This, coupled with the alleged misappropriation of funds, has been the major reason fuelling the workers’ temper.

        Now that the ‘unwanted’ MD has been recalled following expiration of her compulsory leave and the workers insist that they don’t want her again, there must be a way out in order to restore normalcy. I’m deeply of the view that the case ought to be revisited, probably by a different panel. The members of the proposed committee must come from neutral backgrounds. I’m referring to people that can handle the issue dispassionately. Let it not be as if I’m advocating for a retrogressive approach. The truth of the matter is that, these workers cannot be wailing for nothing, because they are definitely not fools.

       Majority of the members of the affected organization, if not the overall, is fully involved in the ongoing protest; hence, we can’t just overlook their grievances. Despite the rigorous findings made by the committee members, the workers still believe they didn’t carry out the assignment effectively. We need to comprehend how radical and persistent core unionists could be if they perceived any injustice or intimidation from their supposed leader. In such circumstance, they can attain to any length to ensure that justice is done. It is on this note that I call on the concerned authorities to look inwards toward doing the needful.

        I’m also reliably informed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is currently on the case. According to the report, the accused officer has already been arraigned, and the matter is scheduled to be heard at Court 2 of the Imo State High Court, Owerri on November 15, 2016. If truly that the case is presently being entertained by a law court, it would be advisable for the Interim Management Committee (IMC) to remain in charge until after some vital investigations, that may be carried out by the court, is over.

        No one is saying that if people are seriously wailing against someone, or an officer, the accused person must have done something wrong. But, considering the fact that the wailers in this case comprise virtually all the workers of the affected establishment, there’s an urgent need to deploy a more viable mechanism towards quenching the flame before it metamorphoses into full-blown fire. Besides, we should as well note that the crisis in question concerns a very sensitive and delicate sector. No society can survive, let alone strive successfully, if its health sector is set ablaze.

        Almost the entire staff are involved in the clamour. And, about 2,500 persons are in question. You can’t request for their retrenchment or resignation. Of course, we are not unaware that such measure would end up igniting more harm. Neither will the government attempt to suspend all of them. Rather than thinking of such, it’s advisable to suspend the accused party since it is only one person. And, if these workers continue to serve in the hospital amid the crisis, or with heavy hearts, they can never deliver efficient services as expected of them.

        Taking cognizance of the above remarks, it’s needless to reiterate that only a whole and drastic measure is required toward ending the lingering crisis. It’s either the government transfer the embattled MD to another state or the entire aggrieved staff would be transferred, while the suggested investigation by the FG proceeds. The former is very simple, whilst the latter is too difficult and its actualization could be far-fetched. An alternative measure, which is shutting down the centre indefinitely till the case is resolved, is not that viable because people’s lives are at stake.

        Though the case is already in court, the awaited court verdict wouldn’t serve as an immediate remedy considering how long court proceedings take in Nigeria. And as long as the prosecution lasts, the workers are required to continue working with the accused person pending when a verdict would be served, pretending as if all is well – all to the detriment of their patients. In view of this obvious assertion, there’s compelling need for an urgent approach. Think about it!      

Comrade Fred Doc Nwaozor

Follow: @mediambassador