the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri and the staff unions of the
medical centre which crippled activities in the health institution for
weeks now has taken another dimension as the staffers have gone
spiritual.
The management is alleged to have stepped-down or cancelled the
proposed Private Partnership Projects (PPP) in the management of the
medical centre to comply with the yearning of the staff unions and
their members. The staff are not relenting on their call for the
immediate sack of the Medical Director (MD), Dr (Mrs) Angela Uwakwem
by the federal government.
According to a nurse, (surname withheld), the entire staff decided to
seek spiritual intervention on the call for Dr Uwakwem's sack
following an alleged compromise by the board and other authorities
over the issue. She went further to disclose that no matter how long
it took, the staff had agreed not to work under the current MD.
Consequently, the aggrieved staff have embarked on over a week-long
fasting and prayer procession to seek divine intervention for the sack
of Dr Uwakwem. In proving the severity of the collective quest, the
staff assembled at the main gate of the hospital every morning dressed
in mourning attires (black) where they commence their procession with
prayers.
The processions have so far taken them to different parts of the
capital city, including the government house and other notable places
where they will be heard.
Speaking to Trumpeta reporter, one of the union leaders expressed
disappointment over the politics the Board is playing with the
paralysed medical service and activities at the FMC at the expense of
human lives. He stated that there is no going back unless a new MD is
appointed for FMC Owerri, as Dr Uwakwem had overstayed her welcome.
It will be recalled that the problem in FMC erupted with the planned
handover of most of the departments in the institution to private
partners by the management, an arrangement that did not go down well
with the workers' unions.
Meanwhile the Medical Director, Mrs Uwakwe who is alleged to be at the
centre of the whole problem was said to have escaped mob action by
demonstrating staff who want her out. Her vehicle's tyres were
deflated and her office locked according to reports.
The aggrieved staff said the MD has rendered the place useless with
her wicked acts. "She is an American trained Director and she must
go!" The agitating demonstrators explained.
The demonstrating workers comprising of mostly junior workers resolved
to move round the wards last Friday to convince the medical chiefs and
consultants to join them in their action against the MD who they said
is now on the run.
Consequently, Imo Health ministry has set up a committee to monitor
the FMC crisis. Information from the ministry revealed that the
committee has swung into action and already begun an unscheduled
inspection tour to the various departments of the medical centre and
other hospitals around to examine and ascertain the level of
productivity in providing adequate healthcare services to Imolites.
The permanent secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Johnny Iheberenie
disclosed that the unscheduled visit was aimed at monitoring staff and
management and to ensure that they render services to the people.
A Trumpeta source revealed that there is no single patient at the FMC,
Owerri as at the time of this report. Concerned citizens of the state
are now calling on the federal government to declare a state of
emergency at the medical centre before the current crisis worsens.
Trumpeta reporter further gathered that since three weeks now, the
place has been unproductive.
Workers only come to the place in black attire to chant war songs.
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