We did not attack workers – Hospital Mgt

MANAGEMENT of Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, (FNHE) has denied using thugs and the
police to disrupt the protest by aggrieved union members in the hospital last week.   

  The hospital also denied that the Chairman of the Joint Health Workers Union, JOHESU, in the hospital, Mr. Alozie Ejimadu, who led the protest, was attacked with an axe, describing the allegation as a political gimmick to gain cheap popularity.

  According to the Management, in a press statement made available to journalists in Enugu, signed by a director in the hospital, Mr. I. S. Ebi, “at about 5am on 4th June 2015, Mr. Alozie Ejimadu, a suspended nurse in the hospital in collaboration with two other suspended staff, locked the gate of the hospital from outside with chains so that both patients and staff of the hospital could neither leave nor go into the facility on the pretext of strike action".

  It added that "Some staff of the hospital who did not understand why Mr. Alozie Ejimadu could do that, tried to open the gate to enable patients and staff access to the hospital.

  “Confusion ensued, because Mr. Alozie and his suspended colleagues tried to prevent opening of the locked gate. Mr. Alozie, Mr. Tony Ozurumba and their cohorts engaged the staff that were trying to open the gate in fighting with stones and weapons. Eventually, the gate was opened when the police came and calmness returned".

  Giving insight into the reasons that led to the suspension of some staff, the hospital management disclosed that “Mr. Alozie Ejimadu was suspended for some unethical posting he sent to facebook on high lethal dose he gave to a patient. The Nursing and Midwifery Council had started to investigate him while the whole world is reacting to the facebook post.

  While Mr. Anthony Ozurumba, an auditor was suspended because while doing his national service was still. receiving full salary for the service period in the hospital without a break and getting paid also by the hospital.

  “Most of the misconducts were committed prior to most of the staff assuming positions as labour leaders. Disciplinary processes have equally begun with issuance of queries etc. before now. As public servants, they are guided by the Public Service Rules irrespective of their positions as labour leaders in the hospital".

  The statement further noted that "in a letter dated 11th May 2015, with reference FNHE/MD/069/VOL.I/001, the Management had addressed all the issues that bothered the welfare of the workers but they; the Union insisted that the suspension order be lifted. But the Management insisted that the matter has been referred to Disciplinary Committee of the Board of Management of the Hospital.

  We are saying this in view of the fact that in a letter from the University Graduate of Nursing Science Association, FNHE Branch signed by Comrade Nwagwu V.C., the Association disassociated itself from any strike action, noting that the issues at stake are personal,