Rita Odafe
Medical professionals and consultants have initiated an endless strike at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), located in Benue State.
This indefinite action stems from the failure to receive eight months of overdue salaries, resulting in the complete suspension of services at the university’s teaching hospital.
Insiders attribute the ongoing crisis to years of alleged mismanagement by previous administrative heads, including ex-Vice Chancellor, Professor Innocent Ujah, and former Chief Medical Director, Professor Silas Ochejile.
These individuals, both from the Idoma community, face accusations of various corrupt practices, including inflating contract costs and engaging in employment fraud, alongside financial mismanagement.
“This institution has been in decline since its inception. Ironically, it’s our own Idoma professors who are undermining it,” noted a concerned staff member who wished to remain anonymous.
“From Professor Ujah’s allegedly ineffective and corrupt administration to Professor Silas Ochejile’s era, characterized by job fraud and inflated contracts, the deterioration is extensive.”
Hospital personnel reported that during Professor Ochejile’s leadership, there was a severe lack of essential medical resources, with the pharmacy even struggling to supply basic medications like paracetamol.
They also asserted that doctors were provided with inadequate office furnishings and poor working environments, despite the institution receiving substantial annual budgets amounting to billions of naira.
The situation has not improved, even with the appointment of a new Chief Medical Director, Professor Teddy Agida, who insiders claim is finding it challenging to navigate the significant issues left behind.
“He discovered a depleted treasury and is laboring to secure funds to address overdue payments and undertake essential renovations,” shared another staff member from the hospital.
