Adeleke Administration Will Not Sacrifice Workers’ Welfare, Embrace Dialogue — Osun Govt Urges UNIOSUNTH Unions
The Osun State Government has urged the leadership of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) at the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, to shelve any plan to embark on industrial action over the proposed Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement for laboratory services.
The Government stressed that the proposed arrangement is designed to serve the best interests of the hospital, its workers and, most importantly, the people of Osun State.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr. Akindele Adekunle, made the appeal while assuring the unions that the proposed PPP arrangement does not amount to privatisation of the hospital, nor is it intended to displace or disengage existing workers.
According to him, the initiative is a strategic reform aimed at strengthening the hospital’s capacity, improving service delivery and ensuring that patients have access to more efficient and reliable laboratory services.
Dr. Adekunle stated categorically that no worker would lose his or her job, position or employment status as a result of the proposed PPP arrangement.
Rather, he explained that the initiative is expected to facilitate the provision of modern equipment, improve the availability of reagents and consumables, create opportunities for professional development and training, and enhance the overall quality, efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery.
He therefore appealed to the unions to resist any temptation to resort to industrial action, stressing that the Management and Governing Board of the hospital have demonstrated their willingness to engage the unions and address all areas of concern through constructive dialogue.
“The fact that the Management is convening meetings with the unions, even while discussions with the prospective partners are still ongoing and no final agreement has been signed, is a clear demonstration that the Osun State Government values its workers and considers them important stakeholders in this reform.
“We appeal to our highly respected health workers not to shut down a hospital that exists principally to save lives. Industrial action in the health sector does not hurt government alone; it directly affects patients, particularly the poor and vulnerable who depend on public healthcare facilities,” he said.
The Special Adviser further stressed that the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke has consistently demonstrated an uncommon commitment to the welfare of health workers and other public servants.
He maintained that the Governor has never compromised the legitimate welfare and interests of Osun workers for political considerations, personal aggrandisement or political convenience.
“His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, has consistently placed the welfare of workers and the wellbeing of our people above political considerations. He has never traded away the interests of health workers for political convenience, and this situation will not be an exception.
“The Governor’s position is clear: reforms must improve the system, workers must be protected, and the people must receive better services. These three objectives are not mutually exclusive, and the proposed PPP is designed to achieve precisely that.”
Dr. Adekunle explained that the Government is compelled to explore innovative and sustainable approaches to healthcare financing and service delivery, particularly in view of the severe financial pressure currently confronting the State.
He said the situation has been further compounded by what the Government described as the illegal withholding of funds due to local governments, making it imperative for the State to explore responsible alternatives for sustaining critical public institutions.
He noted that government must therefore think outside the box rather than allow financial constraints to cripple essential services,