UCH Ibadan

The Medical and Dental Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), University College Hospital (UCH) Branch, Ibadan, has condemned in strong terms the assault of three top members of management of the hospital including the Chief Medical Director by some health workers during a recent strike.

It described the assault as unbridled unionism which must be condemned by all.

A statement by Dr Olushola Ibiyemi, the General Secretary of the association, said, “Nigerian populace has suffered enough and the health sector must desist from adding to their burden’’.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the assault on the top management staff was carried out at the commencement of the strike called by the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU).

Members of the union had gone strike, shut the offices and withheld the keys, thereby denying the management access to their offices.

The statement noted that two management staff members — Dr Victor Akinmoladun, the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee and his deputy, Dr Clement Okolo — had attempted to retrieve some keys to access to certain vital areas in the hospital and were, in the process, assaulted by the striking workers.

“The striking JOHESU members rough-handled them and locked them up in the key room.

“The Chief Medical Director, Prof.Temitope Alonge, while trying to intervene and secure their release was pelted with sachet water and it took men of the Nigeria Police to secure their release.

“This unfortunate event brings to memory similar circumstances that led to the death Prof. Bamidele Bandipo, a former Chief medical Director of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, on Oct. 30, 1995, the statement said.

It apologised to the management and warned that such assault would no longer be tolerated under the guise of unionism.

The association, however, advised the government to always intervene promptly in trade disputes before it degenerates into crisis.