Cabal behind FMC protest?

Cabal behind  FMC protest?

The recent protests embarked upon by some members of the Joint Health Services Union of Nigeria, (JOHESU) following the re-instatement of the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. (Mrs) Angela Uwakwem, may have been the handiwork of a cabal who do not wish the hospital well.

The indication emerged following Christian Voice investigation which showed that majority of the workers are against the ongoing agitation for the removal of Dr. Angela Uwakwem.

Many of the workers believe that Dr. Uwakwem had done more than  any other Medical Director in the FMC in repositioning the hospital for efficient healthcare delivery.

They saw no genuine reason for anyone to treat her this way after all her efforts. These workers described Dr. Uwakwem as a highly principled woman who is committed to the transformation of FMC to a great healthcare delivery institution and wondered why she is being persecuted.

They called on those championing the protests to sheathe their swords and embrace peace so as to reduce the suffering of the patients.

Dr. Uwakwem had earlier noted that the protesters were doing much harm to Imo people and Nigerian in general as they had chosen to abandon their primary responsibility of saving lives for selfish and political purposes. 

She said, in an interaction with newsmen, that authorities of Federal Ministry of Health and the federal government decided to re-instate her after acknowledging the good work she has done at FMC Owerri .

 Uwakwem told newsmen that she was being persecuted for her uprightness and not allowing people to loot the centre.

She regretted why some members of her staff she had protected are now calling for her head hiding under JOHESU not minding the glaring developmental strides she spear-headed that brought innovation and real change in the hospital to enviable heights.

JOHESU, Southern Nigeria zone had, on Tuesday, converged in Owerri to protest the recall of Dr Uwakwem, claiming that the reinstatement was against public /civil service rule. It directed its members to embark on indefinite strike. 

The union alleged that there were revelations of 18-count charges against Dr. Uwakwem before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), adding that the charges should have been discharged before her reinstatement.

He alleged that Dr. Uwakwem was to appear before the EFCC to face the charges bothering on financial misappropriation on October 11, 2016 but that the case was adjourned to November 15, 2016, owing to the absence of the presiding judge.

Meanwhile there are hints that the federal government may axe staff of the hospital that have refused to report to work following Dr Uwakwem's recent re-instatement as the government is reported to have already issued a press release warning such staff on the consequences of their action.

Our correspondent reports that stern-looking security operatives have taken over the premises to forestall any restiveness among some members of staff that are opposed to the CMD's reinstatement.