The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the healthcare professionals group at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Calabar have formally disassociated themselves from a recent demonstration regarding the appointment of a new Medical Director. They characterized the protest as premature and based on misinformation.
In an official statement, JOHESU chairman Nathaniel Eyo asserted that the individuals involved in the demonstration were not actual staff members of the institution. Eyo pointed out that the federal government has not yet declared the results of the selection process, rendering the protest entirely unjustified. The union suggested the event was sponsored, noting with disapproval that the activity hampered clinical operations.
JOHESU warned that such actions, fueled by rumor and speculation, threaten due process and create instability. The organization emphasized that leadership appointments follow established federal guidelines, which permit any qualified Nigerian to seek these roles regardless of their state of origin. Furthermore, the union praised the Cross River State government for fostering a welcoming environment, noting that the protest did not align with the peaceful values of the region.
The union advised that if anyone finds the official appointment outcome unsatisfactory in the future, they should utilize formal administrative and legal procedures. Additionally, hospital management echoed these concerns, labeling the protesters as outsiders and troublemakers. Hogan Bassey, the hospital’s Labour Desk Officer, confirmed that the agitators were not employed by the facility.
