Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex Management On The Verge Of Killing The Fate And Dream Of Nursing Students With Exorbitant Fee Hike: A Cry For Justice by Olabanji Joel

Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals is one of the federal teaching hospitals in Nigeria, it consist of five units which are: Ife Hospital Unit, Wesley Guild Hospital, Multipurpose center Ilesa, Urban Community Health Center Eleyele Ile-ife and Rural Community Health Center Imesi-Ile. It stands at a crossroads marred by a tumultuous year of alleged corruption within its administration. The suspension of key figures, including the Chief Medical Director, Chairman Medical Advisory Committee, and Director of Administration, signals a pivotal moment for the institution. 

Prof John Okeniyi 
OAUTHC CMD

In response to the challenges, a new management team has taken the reins, striving to rectify the situation. However, their approach has triggered controversy, notably through a sweeping increase in fees, some surging by over 250%. From transcript collections to daily patient meals and laboratory tests, the financial burden on patients and students has intensified. Recently, the fees for transcript collection, which was less than #20,000 was increased to #50,000,daily food prices for patients, laboratory test prices, and many other fees previously said.

Prof. Eniola Eziyi
OAUTHC CMAC

The Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, a crucial liaison for clinical, training, and patient-care matters, is reported to be encroaching upon the autonomy of training institutions. The school of nursing, in particular, faces upheaval, with concerns raised about the management's focus on administrative control rather than the students' welfare and learning environment.

The Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee serves as a link between the hospital and the outside world on clinical, training, and Patient-Care matters. 

The Clinical Services and Training Department serves as the administrative arm of the Directorate. The present chairman medical advisory committee has been reported to want to completely take over all the activities of the training institutions' directors. In relation to the school of nursing where I graduated, he has almost taken over all the activities of the institution from the admission of students into the school to the  induction planning of the students. 

However, she has not been reported to be responsible for the welfare of the students, the living conditions of the students, the accommodation of the students, and the resources available for learning. Despite the students paying, the management has found it difficult to release funds needed for the smooth running o the institution and also provision or refurbishment of a conducive learning environment for the students thereby making re-accreditation of the school difficult. It is shameful that the great Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex is becoming a once upon a time institution with a glory. Instead of the management of the hospital to release fund for the development of the school, the management want to make the students to pay more despite getting less than 50% of what they have previously been paying for.

Consequently, the excessive hike in student fees places responsibility squarely on both the CMD and the CMAC.

THE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITALS (RECONSTITUTION OF BOARDS, ETC.) ACT section 5 sub section 4, it states that "There shall be for each hospital, a chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee who shall be appointed by the Board and responsible to the Chief Medical Director for all the clinical and training activities of the hospital" and this simply means that for every action taken by the CMAC, the CMD of the hospital is definitely aware and responsible for it. In this case, the CMD of OAUTHC and the CMAC are both responsible for the excessive and insensitive of the student's school fees from an amount less than 200,000 Naira for both the ND students and HND to an exorbitant amount over 500,000 and over 800,000 Naira respectively.

The parents of the nursing students and patients in comparison to the hospital management.

The astronomical fee increments have elicited strong reactions from parents and patients. The insensitivity of the management, especially in a time of economic hardship, prompts questions about the ethical implications of such a substantial financial burden on families, the parents of the nursing students and patients in comparison to the hospital management.

The insensitivity by the present management of OAUTHC would make you ask if these leaders are in Nigeria or living in a different world. Despite the hardship in the country, which has greatly affected the standard of living of every citizen, should an increment of about 250% be made on the prices of services in the hospital? How can parents surviving on loan when the school fees were still less than #200,000 survive now that it has been increased to over #500,0000 or #800,000 for a college of nursing and not even a degree program.

Will the children of the masses be able to further their education in OAUTHC College of Nursing? Can the CMD and the CMAC of the institution boldly walk on the streets of Ile-Ife and Ilesa holding the new fees boldly for everyone to see with their heads up without being lynched by angry and frustrated persons whom the price will deny their wards of having the opportunity to study in the institution?

We all agree that the Government of Nigeria is bad but it is can also be agreed that some persons such as the CMD and the CMAC of OAUTHC with just an institutional power are worse than the present government of Nigeria. What would they do if they are opportune to be the leaders of states or country?

Witchcraft is not just about voodoo. It can also be regarded as the power of manipulation, wickedness, insensitivity, and impunity. I believe any act against humanity and an intention to deliberately cause harm both physically, mentally, financially, or Occupationally to anyone is witchy. 

WILL OAUTHC MANAGEMENT LISTEN TO THE CRY OF THE PATIENTS IN THE HOSPITAL AND PARENTS OF NURSING STUDENTS TO HALT THE ATROCIOUS INCREMENT OF FEES OR WILL THEY BE MEANLY DEAF AND PROFANELY BLIND TO THE CRIES OF THE MASSES?

WILL THE DREAMS OF THE ALREADY HEART WRENCHED STUDENTS BE DESTROYED BY THIS FORM OF ADMINISTRATIVE EXTORTION?

OLABANJI JOEL

A Nurse, Writer, and Socialist.