The Management of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife held a Management and Industrial Union/Association parley on Saturday, December 14, 2024.
The parley, attended by members of the top Management as well as members of various unions in the hospital, was to address the recent industrial disharmony, tension and strife within the hospital.
The Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. John Okeniyi in his welcome remarks reiterated the importance of building confidence and trust between the hospital’s management and workforce through continuous, constructive engagement and collaboration. In his word, “ By maintaining open various channels of communication, we can understand each other’s perspectives, address concerns promptly and foster a culture of mutual respect and trust”.
The keynote speaker at the parley, Dr. Niyi Sunmonu, an Associate Professor of Physics at the Obafemi Awolowo University and also, the National President, Congress of Nigerian University Academics, CONUA, titled his lecture Building Bridges: Strategies for Effective Collaborative Unionism in Healthcare. He said promotion of teamwork and harmony in the workplace is crucial for progress but since conflicts are unavoidable the Management must learn the art of communication, leadership support and staff empowerment.
The speaker mentioned that the aim of these strategies in the hospital is to deliver quality healthcare to Nigerians and by cultivating trust and respect between the Management and staff, building partnerships with the labour unions, fostering a culture of collaboration among the various professionals within the hospital, addressing conflicts and disputes as soon as they arise, the hospital will continue to experience continuous improvements.
In summarizing his lecture, Dr. Sunmonu opined “ By implementing these strategies, healthcare organizations can foster effective collaborative unionism, promote positive labour relations, and ultimately improve patient care and outcomes.”
At the end of the parley, all the participants agreed that continuous improvement and adaptability are essential to maintaining a healthy relationship between the Management and labour unions and by regularly monitoring and evaluating their strategies, everyone can identify areas for improvement and adapt their approaches to meet evolving needs.
