Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja Denies Alleged Manpower Shortage, Industrial Crisis

Management of the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja (FTHL) says it is not true that the hospital is becoming distressed as a result of the lack of qualified medical professionals who are said to have left its service due to bad working conditions.

The Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Dr Olatunde Alabi, told journalists in lokoja that management remains committed to transparency and accountability in the administration of the medical institution.

The crisis between the management and the Association of Resident Doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Lokoja has lingered for months. Recently, the doctors protested on the hospital premises, accusing the management of poor working conditions, abuse of office, and gross misconduct.

The action of the aggrieved doctors led to an emergency press conference by the Joint Health Sector Unions and the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, who faulted the claims of the protesting doctors.

The Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja described the claims of the protesting doctors as a deliberate attempt to tarnish the hospital’s reputation.

Other major stakeholders emphasised the need for a peaceful working environment.

While the management maintained that they are not at loggerheads with the staff of the health institution, they urged both parties to resolve the conflicts through dialogue.

Editor Paul Akhagbemhe