Too many petitions crippling Kaduna neuropsychiatric hospital

The Medical and Health Workers Union of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Kaduna has demanded an end to what it described as unnecessary petitions against management of the hospital. Speaking during the union’s recent congress, chairman of the union, Comrade Emmanuel Atule said it was slowing down the progress and operation of the hospital. Atule advised […]

The Medical and Health Workers Union of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Kaduna has demanded an end to what it described as unnecessary petitions against management of the hospital.

Speaking during the union’s recent congress, chairman of the union, Comrade Emmanuel Atule said it was slowing down the progress and operation of the hospital.

Atule advised staff  of the hospital to embrace dialogue in settling grievances against their colleagues and management in order to avoid distractions.

“The hospital has been tagged ‘petition hospital’ both at the state and Federal Ministry of Health because of the number of petitions from staff. As a result of this petitions, investigations that follow and actions taken, management goes to Abuja every now and then either to the Federal Ministry of Health or to the Industrial Court; and  all expenses from the hospita’s coffers. These monies spent on moving up and down settling issues would have been used for better things that can aid the growth of the hospital,” he said.

He also warned against writing of petition in the name of ‘Concerned Staff’, saying, whoever writes petition should be bold enough to include his/her name. 

On his own part, the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Taiwo L. Sheikh described the petitions as empty distractions; saying the writers of the petitions are few individuals who have disciplinary issues with the management. Their offences according to him range from breech of service rule such as abandoning work place for other businesses and refusal to respond to queries among others.

 “When staff commits an offence and refuses to respond to queries from unit head and even the admin,when action is taken, the next thing you see is petition. When these petitions are submitted, the Federal Ministry of Health is involved and investigation into the matter is conducted. If at the end of the investigation, actions are taken, instead of being obedient, the staff goes to court. On our own part, we try to dissuade and talk to people but when that fails, we write or query them,” he said.