By Admin
Medical staff of the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Calabar, have staged a protest against the hospital’s Acting Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr. Theophilus Osim.
The protesters accused him of disobeying a Federal Ministry of Health directive on the appointment of a substantive CMD.
The protest, led by the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), yesterday, saw staff carrying placards with various inscriptions.
The staff who displayed placards with various inscriptions also alledged the CMD of
victimisation, highhandiness, and harassment.
The union alleged that Dr Osim, who has been in acting capacity since March 2024, failed to comply with a May 14, 2025 ministry directive ordering him to advertise the position within six weeks.
Sector chairman of SSAUTHRIAI, Ken Bassey, said the CMD had “consistently acted as if he is bigger than the ministry,” accusing him of victimisation, harassment, and intimidation of staff.
He said, “We have been issued arbitrary queries, suspended, our salaries stopped, and some of our members even sent to jail for speaking out. We have been patient, but enough is enough. We will no longer tolerate this executive rascality.”
In response, Dr Osim denied flouting the ministry’s directive, insisting that due process was being followed.
“It is not true that I refused to advertise. The matter is before the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, and I am following due process,” he said.
The acting CMD also dismissed allegations of high-handedness, maintaining that his actions were within the law.
He appealed to the union for peace and dialogue, acknowledging their right to protest. “At the end of the day, we will all sit at the table to resolve these issues,” he said.
