Acting CMD Denies Wrongdoing as Calabar Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Staff Protest

The Acting Chief Medical Director of the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Calabar, Dr. Theophilus Osim, has rejected allegations of disobedience and high-handedness following a protest by staff members on Monday.

Employees, led by the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), had taken to the hospital premises demanding his removal.

They accused him of ignoring a directive from the Federal Ministry of Health to begin the process of appointing a substantive CMD and of victimising workers through queries, suspensions, and salary stoppages.

Dr. Osim, who has overseen the hospital in an acting capacity since March 2024, dismissed the accusations, maintaining that the procedure for appointing a permanent CMD was already in motion.

“It is not true that I refused to advertise the position,” he stated. “The matter is before the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, and we are following due process.”

Union leaders had insisted that the directive from the ministry, issued on May 14, 2025, required the position to be advertised within six weeks. According to them, failure to comply amounted to disregard for official instructions.

Despite the sharp criticism, Dr. Osim defended his management style, stressing that his actions were lawful. He urged the workers to remain calm and engage in dialogue rather than confrontation.

“At the end of the day, we will all sit at the table to resolve these issues,” he said.

While the staff maintained that their patience had run out, with SSAUTHRIAI sector chairman Ken Bassey describing the situation as “executive rascality,” the acting CMD called for peace and reassured that the hospital was committed to stability.

Punch