Dear Esteemed Colleagues,
On this International Workers’ Day, I salute the tireless efforts and achievements of our workforce. The theme for 2024 worker’s Day celebration, “Social Justice and Decent Work for All,” echoes our shared experiences at OAUTHC, especially as I address you for the first time as Chief Medical Director on this significant day.
We have faced formidable challenges, such as critical staff shortages, job racketeering and over-establishment, and incessant industrial unrest, compounded by financial constraints that have constantly overshadowed our good works and output. It is also noteworthy that the Federal Government has abrogated leave of absence! These have limited our capacity to provide certain complimentary benefits such as training sponsorships, call meals, and other customary benefits. These issues, alongside delays in staff confirmations and promotions, not to mention the sad and wanton instances of indiscipline, have generated industrial anxiety that continues to test our institution’s resilience even as we strive unrelentingly for excellence. Moreover, our facilities recently suffered extensive structural damage due to severe weather events, compounding our existing challenges.
Undaunted, these challenges fortify our commitment to justice and equitable work conditions. We remain steadfast in rectifying these concerns, ensuring merit-based employment, and resolving over-employment issues with probity. We have addressed a perennial stagnation issue in our Laundry and Tailoring Units, ensured that no staff, regular or casual earns below the minimum wage limit, paid 13 months of a backlog of Hazard allowance and accrued accident-free awards to drivers to enhance productivity, addressed the debacle of over-employment, initiated the IPPIS capturing and payroll of the newly appointed staff, concluded the confirmation of appointments of staff recruited in 2021, and we are actively working towards conducting a promotion exercise, filling positions currently occupied in acting capacities, and reshuffling postings to enhance general efficiency, work output and revenue generation, and client satisfaction. The issues of critically needed clinical staff will soon be put to rest as we await a new waiver to employ. Hence, we call on the intended staff to be patient.
As we honour the dignity of labour, we renew our pledge to deliver outstanding healthcare. Our patients depend on our collective expertise and integrity. By embracing the principles of social justice, we value each staff member’s role and contributions. This administration remains open to ideas and participation by all staff and industrial unions as we address pending and impending issues. Together, let us aspire to make decent work a reality for everyone at OAUTHC and strive to be the beacon of hope and excellence in healthcare that our community and nation expect us to be. The vision of the OAUTHC is to become a leading centre of excellence in every aspect of clinical training, manpower development, and dedication to serving the community through education and patient care. I genuinely believe that together, we surely can, and surely will!
Happy International Workers’ Day and Yours in service,
Prof. John A.O. Okeniyi,
Chief Medical Director.
