The management of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Ogun State, has denied allegations that it compelled nurses to carry out cleaning and sanitation duties during the ongoing national strike by the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU).
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the hospital’s Public Relations Department, the management described the allegations as “unsubstantiated, baseless, fake, and a figment of the writer’s imagination.” The statement was in response to claims reportedly made by the Elegant Nurses Forum, signed by one Abiodun Thomas, which had gained traction across some media platforms.
The forum alleged that due to the absence of cleaners participating in the month-long JOHESU strike, some hospitals, including OOUTH, were coercing nurses into performing cleaning duties. It condemned the alleged practice, describing it as unethical, unlawful, and professionally degrading, while calling for an end to intimidation and coercion of nurses into duties outside their professional scope.
However, OOUTH management firmly refuted the claims, stressing that nurses at the hospital have always been treated with dignity and respect. According to the statement, at no point have nurses or any other staff been pressured or instructed to perform duties outside their professional cadre.
“The management categorically states that the claims as they relate to OOUTH are false, misleading, and entirely baseless,” the statement read. It further noted that the report was published without proper verification.
The hospital assured the public that despite the ongoing industrial action, operations at OOUTH continue to be guided by professionalism, teamwork, and adherence to ethical standards, with staff welfare remaining a top priority.
The Acting Director of Nursing Services, Mrs Folasade Fawole, also dismissed the allegations, stating that nurses at OOUTH have never been subjected to unconducive working conditions. She clarified that while nurses may voluntarily keep their immediate workspaces tidy, cleaning of wards and clinic areas is not part of their official duties.
OOUTH reiterated its commitment to maintaining high standards of patient care, staff welfare, and a conducive working environment, pledging continued engagement with relevant stakeholders to ensure ethical and smooth service delivery.
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