The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals has suspended its strike at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, for two weeks following the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in the dispute over the status of Dr. Adeyinka Ishola, Director of Pharmaceutical Services.
The union, however, warned that it could embark on a nationwide solidarity strike if the matter was not resolved before the expiration of the suspension period.
In a letter dated September 22 and addressed to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, the union said its National Administrative Council directed that the strike, which began on September 16, be suspended to allow the ministry to resolve the dispute decisively.
The letter, signed by NUAHP General Secretary, Comrade Martin Egbanubi, stated that the notice of suspension would serve as a strike ultimatum in line with the Trade Disputes Act if the matter remained unresolved after two weeks.
NUAHP urged the Federal Government to prevail on the management of UCH to unconditionally reinstate Dr Ishola as Director and Head of Pharmaceutical Services.
The union argued that redeploying him as Head of Unit instead of restoring him to his former position amounted to a demotion and punitive action that was inconsistent with the recommendations of the panel of enquiry and the Scheme of Service for Pharmacists.
NUAHP said it remained committed to industrial harmony and expressed hope that the ministry would take prompt action to resolve the dispute.