Federal Teaching Hospital, Akure, has urged the Ondo State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) to cancel its planned strike, set to begin April 8, 2026. The union, led by chairman Elusoji Olumide, had cited unresolved grievances under the leadership of the hospital's Chief Medical Director as justification for the industrial action. In a statement released Sunday, the hospital's Head of Public Relations, Mr Tope Fayehun, dismissed the union's claims as unfounded and misleading. He emphasized that the institution operates within federal standards and maintains transparent, collaborative processes recognized by other staff members.
The hospital reaffirmed its commitment to staff welfare and uninterrupted healthcare delivery, denying allegations of arbitrary staff removals, forced transfers, department eliminations, or oppressive practices. Management described the strike threat as inconsistent with ongoing efforts to improve service quality and institutional stability. It invited NUAHP to engage in dialogue, stressing that cooperation is essential to maintaining progress and patient care. The statement concluded with an open invitation to stakeholders to observe the hospital's operations firsthand.
The union's decision to threaten a strike over internal disputes risks disrupting healthcare access for patients who rely on FUTA Teaching Hospital's services. With the industrial action scheduled for April 2026, there is time for Elusoji Olumide and his executives to pursue dialogue instead of escalation. If the union proceeds despite management's invitation to engage, it may signal more about internal dynamics than patient welfare. For Nigerians seeking care at the facility, delays or disruptions could come at a steep personal cost.
