By Anthony Uwadiegwu
Workers of Neuro Psychiatric hospital, Calabar, on Monday clashed with the hospital’s Acting Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr Theophilus Osim for flaunting ministry’s directive on the appointment of a substantive CMD.
The staff, through their union, Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), made this known during a protest to register their grievances at the hospital’s premises.
The staff who were armed with placards of various inscriptions also accused the CMD of victimisation, high-handedness and harassment.
The union noted that the CMD, Dr Theophilus Osim, who has been in acting capacity since March 2024, has deliberately, and on several occasions, flaunted the directive to advertise for the same position.
According to the sector chairman of the SSAUTHRIAI, Comrade Ken Bassey, who is also a staff of the health institution, the recent directive was issued through a letter dated May 14, 2025.
“The letter which was signed on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Jimoh Salaudeen, Director of hospital services, gave the CMD six weeks to place the advert.
“As we speak, he has not acted on that directive just the same way he has always acted as if he is bigger than the ministry.
“We have been victimised, harassed, suppressed, and intimidated by the same man for daring to voice out for the right thing to be done in this hospital.
“Not only are our members issued queries arbitrarily, we have also been sent to jail, suspended, and our salaries stopped without due process.
“We have been very peaceful, law abiding, but today, we are saying enough is enough. We will no longer tolerate this executive rascality,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the acting CMD has sued for peace from the union, noting that their agitations are not out of place.
He, however, corrected the impression that he flaunted the directive of the Ministry of Health to advertise for the appointment of a substantive CMD for the Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Calabar.
Osim also debunked the allegations of high-handedness and said he has always acted based on the provisions of the law.
According to him, “It is not true that I refused to advertise. In fact, this matter is before the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health. Everything has processes, and I am following due process.
“Like I said, you have every right to protest, and I won’t deny you that right because at the end of the day, we will all sit on a table to dialogue on these contentious issues.”
