From Nnamdi Ofonye, Owerri
Activities at the Federal Medical Center Owerri was on Tuesday brought to a standstill and will remain so for the next 3 days as members of the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals at the medical center embark on a warning strike.
The workers who came out in their numbers with majority of them clothed in black attire and carrying placards with various inscriptions dropped their working tools after the 7 days ultimatum given to the management of the federal medical center to reverse its alleged moves to privatize the center.
The workers are also protesting against the non-payment of their 2013/2014 promotion arrears.
They however called on the Federal Government to intervene, warning that at the end of the warning strike, other actions might be taken until their demands are met.
The Chief Medical Director of the Center, Doctor Angela Uwakwem dismissed the allegations from the protesters as baseless.
She disclosed that the moves by the management of the center was approved by the highest decision making body with the aim of repositioning the center to perform optimally and meet up with the ever increasing challenges facing the center.
She corrected the impression that the management was privatising the center but instead pointed out that the plan is only to partner with capable private individuals to boost professionalism and results.
HOMELAND NEWS however gathered that a peace meeting to resolve the crisis has been initiated while the sick and bed ridden patients will be waiting and hoping that the issues are resolved and timely.
