Dare Babalola
A protest rocked the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Calabar, Cross River State, on Monday as staff members demanded the appointment of a substantive Chief Medical Director (CMD).
The workers, led by the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), accused Acting CMD Dr. Theophilus Osim of defying a Federal Ministry of Health directive to initiate the process of appointing a substantive CMD.
The protesters brandished placards and chanted slogans, alleging that Dr. Osim had ignored a May 14, 2025, directive from the ministry to advertise the substantive CMD position within six weeks.
They also accused him of victimisation, harassment, and high-handedness in the discharge of his duties.
SSAUTHRIAI Chairman Ken Bassey condemned Dr. Osim’s leadership style, describing it as “executive rascality.”
He claimed that staff members had faced arbitrary queries, salary stoppages, suspensions, and even imprisonment for speaking out.
In response, Dr. Osim denied any wrongdoing, stating that the process for the substantive appointment was already underway, telling Punch that the matter was before the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and that they were following due process.
