Tension In Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Over Reappointment Of CMD, Union Kicks

By Ayodele Oni

The Federal Government may have set a bad precedent with the reappointment of the Chief Medical Director (CMD) Federal Medical Centre, (FMC) Owo, in Ondo state.

Investigation revealed that there is a peace of the graveyard at the Health Centre as workers are unhappy with the reappointment of Dr Liasu Adeagbo as the CMD for another term in office.

The Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria ( MDCAN) one of the unions at the FMC, called for the intervention of the Federal Government  in the unfolding crisis at the FMC, Owo.

Chairman of MDCAN in the hospital, Dr Samuel Faturoti, made the call in a statement made available in Akure.

The crisis centres on the  re-appointment of Adeagbo, after his retirement from the Health institution at the age of 60.

Faturoti said that the CMD would be clocking 60, the official retirement age, in July and, so is expected to have proceeded on the mandatory three months terminal leave, preceding his retirement.

According to the Union leader, Adeagbo has served for two years and four months in acting capacity, adding that by April, he would have served for four years as the substantive CMD.

“We remain resolute in our demand that the CMD deserves his retirement and nothing more after the expiration of his present tenure.

“We are confident that the supervising ministry and the Honourable Minister of State for Health will do the needful, to sustain the confidence reposed in the civil service and prevent the palpable tension at the centre from snowballing.

“Moreso, the centre has within the system a sizeable number of equally eligible and capable consultants (within the stipulated age limit), any of whom can be appointed to pilot the affairs of the hospital.”

The MDCAN Chairman added that it was more worrisome that stakehders especially members of the Hospital’s Management Board, had no knowledge of the process or procedure that led to the re-appointment.

“Within the last two weeks, the hospital community has witnessed a desperate attempt by the Medical Director to hang on to power despite the rising tension.

“This is exemplified by his tactical support for the activities of an apparently illegal union: United Workers for Patient Care.

“The Union, with no National base or any known branch in any Federal or State Hospital in Nigeria, has been exhibiting conducts likely to cause breach of peace within the hospital.

“As a responsible stakeholder, we have formally notified appropriate security agencies in this regard.”

Faturoti described the CMD’s reappointment as an infringement on the Public Service Rules (PSR) as the focal point of the operational framework, regulatory principles, charter of right, privileges and duties of all public servants in Nigeria.

The CMD, in his reaction through a text message, simply stated that: “There is peace in the Hospital.”