The Joint Action Front (JAF), a civil society partner of the Nigeria Labour Congress has expressed their worry over inadequate facilities in the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), saying it will soon embark on series of campaigns to draw public attention to pitfalls in the hospital.
The chairman and general secretary of JAF, Dr. Dipo Fashina and Comrade Abiodun Aremu respectively who jointly addressed a press conference held in Lagos said,” LUTH has become a go-and-die hospital, and a no-go-area for poor Nigerians, despite that it was established as a public Institution to save lives and improve healthcare delivery.
“The dialysis center was shut for over a year and was just reopened with only one functional dialysis machine, when a teaching hospital such as LUTH should ideally have at least 20. Also, ideally, there should be separate machines dedicated to patients with Hepatitis and HIV in order to prevent cross infection, but there is none. Why is LUTH neglecting Hepatitis and HIV patients?
“JAF resolved to embark on series of Political Actions, including massive public campaigns, leafleting, rallies, congresses with doctors and health workers unions in LUTH, alliances with and demands on the trade union centers, etc., to ensure the realization of the demands.
“The group rejected the privatisation and commercialization of public facilities in LUTH, also resist the wicked and anti-human authority in the hospital. JAF demanded the unconditional reinstatement of Dr. Olorunfemi and Dr. Adeyelu.”
The group maintained that only one functional ultrasound machine inLUTH is functioning instead of at least 10.
“It is the only machine available for babies, pregnant women, HIV patients, accident victims, adults, etc., thereby putting patients and health workers in a permanent state of chaos, desperation and conflicts on who uses the machine at any point in time. There is only one functional ECG Machine, when there should be at least one in every ward and service areas. This machine is used to diagnose heart disease. The use of the machine is critical in heart attack and other emergencies.
Earlier, the chairman of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, Comrade Francis Ogunremi Omoniyi said they would picket LUTH as a result of anti-labour activities practised in the hospital.