UCH unions call for help as warning strike ends, pledge to keep fighting

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan 

The Council of UCH Union Leaders (CUUL) has appealed for intervention of government and well-meaning Nigerians in the energy crisis dogging the country’s foremost tertiary hospital.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the unions in the University College  Hospital (UCH)  had embarked on a 5-day warning strike on Monday (March 2), over restricted, rationing of power supply.

The unions are the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MWHUN), National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUHAP).

Others are Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI)

The unions under the umbrella of CUUL, alleged that deliberate withholding of power crippled activities at the hospital, while patients suffered.

They said electricity supplied to service delivery areas and residential quarters were being delibrately rationed and restricted by management.

Co-Chairman of CUUL and also Chairman, UCH Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), Comrade Oladayo Olabampe, confirmed that the 5-day warning strike had ended on Friday, while the workers resumed work on Saturday.

Olabampe said CUUL would appraise the situation upon resumption and take further necessary action accordingly.

“It’s not over until it is all over. We shall therefore, on resumption, appraise the situation and take further decisions accordingly.

“We implore the government, the Federal Ministry of Health, Ministry of Power and all well-meaning prominent Nigerians to please come to our rescue in UCH,” he said.

Olabampe appreciated the forbearance and understanding of the patients during the warning strike.

“We are not happy to have abandoned our duties but it became necessary because we believe both patients/clients and those of us who take care of them deserve the best,” he said.

Also, the UCH ARD President, Dr Uthman Adedeji, said the strike had run its course for five days.

Adedeji said that it was expedient to resume work and reappraise the situation.

“Unfortunately, ARD UCH has not been informed of any new development as regards our demands.

“Work resumed 8. 00 a.m today, Saturday March 7, 2026.

“The congress of ARD UCH reiterates her demands which is solely in line with the vision of UCH, service delivery, training and research,” he said.

Adedeji appealed to UCH Management to do the needful by ensuring that the demands of ARD UCH and CUUL are met.

“We also appeal to well meaning Nigerians and the Federal Government to come to our aid before the situation becomes increasingly irreparable.

“We must not continue to suffer in silence,” Adedeji said. (NAN)