By Divine Sam
The Osun State University Teaching Hospital (UNIOSUNTH) has defended its controversial decision to discharge patients on Monday night, citing the ongoing strike by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) as the reason.
Public Relations Officer Wale Ajibolu explained that the hospital management had been engaged in discussions with union representatives throughout the evening, urging them to pause the strike due to the unique circumstances of a healthcare facility. Despite these efforts, the union declined to suspend the strike, leading to the management’s decision to discharge patients.
Concerns were raised by relatives of patients who were reportedly ordered to leave the hospital around 8:00 PM, including those in critical conditions, such as pregnant women. One relative expressed outrage, criticizing the timing of the discharge and calling the actions of the striking workers “barbaric” and “wicked.”
The hospital’s management acknowledged the difficulties this posed for patients but emphasized their obligation to respond to the ongoing strike.