The Federal University of Technology, Akure Teaching Hospital (FUTATH) has clarified that employees of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) will not be automatically absorbed into the Federal Government workforce, stressing that only qualified personnel will be employed in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Ondo State and Federal Governments.
Addressing a news conference on Monday in Akure, the Chief Medical Director of FUTATH, Prof. Olusegun Ojo, said recent protests by some workers stemmed from misinformation surrounding the terms of the agreement.
Ojo explained that the MoU does not guarantee automatic employment for all existing staff but provides that only those assessed as suitable would be absorbed. He added that the Federal Government had approved a take-off workforce of 1,200 personnel, with efforts underway to place successful candidates on the federal payroll by the end of August.
He said the hospital management had adhered strictly to the provisions of the MoU throughout the recruitment process.
“The MoU clearly states that only those found suitable would be selected. That is exactly what we have done with diligence and fairness,” Ojo said.
According to him, many workers had been misled into believing that all existing staff members would automatically become federal employees.
“Some people were wrongly informed that everyone would automatically be absorbed into the new hospital, and that is completely untrue,” he added.
Ojo disclosed that more than 800 workers were enrolled during the first phase of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) exercise conducted in June.
He explained that a mop-up enrolment exercise was held in Abuja on 9 July for employees who missed the initial exercise because of communication challenges and other related issues.
The Chief Medical Director said he had expected salary payments to commence by the end of July following the June enrolment. However, the process was delayed because some workers had yet to be captured.
“Now that the mop-up has been completed, we are working towards commencing payment by the end of August,” he said.
Ojo added that the Ondo State Government would continue paying workers’ salaries until the transition to the Federal Government payroll is completed.
He also condemned the disruption of hospital activities during the recent protests, stressing that healthcare facilities must remain peaceful because they provide essential medical services.
“It is disappointing that educated people would disrupt the peace of a hospital. If there are concerns about the leadership, there are established channels for addressing them,” Ojo said.
He noted that the hospital provides care for cancer patients, people with severe infections, and patients awaiting surgery, making it imperative to maintain a calm and conducive environment.
Prof. Ojo further disclosed that the hospital had received complaints regarding alleged job racketeering involving fake employment letters issued before he assumed office.
According to him, the management is gathering evidence and will refer the matter to the appropriate authorities where necessary.
The Chief Medical Director also said that although the approved workforce of 1,200 falls short of the hospital’s long-term staffing requirements, FUTATH has already attracted experienced doctors, surgeons, and nurses from other teaching hospitals to strengthen healthcare delivery.
He added that the hospital is working to secure its take-off grant, procure critical medical equipment, and implement a five-year development plan for its permanent site.
