FG begins payment of outstanding emoluments to UCTH Interns, other non-regular personnel
BY Admin
The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Finance has commenced payment of the outstanding entitlements of non-regular personnel in Federal Tertiary Health Institutions.
The situation had generated misunderstandings between management of the affected institutions and the non-regular personnel, especially medical interns.
In the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital UCTH; one of the Federal Institutions that was severely affected by the shortfalls in non-regular allocation, the situation had degenerated to public demonstrations and protests against the hospital management by the Interns, who with the help of a serving Senator from Imo State, Sen. Rochas Okorocha placed a petition before the Senate against the Chief Medical Director of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital over a situation wrongly perceived.
The Chief Medical Director of the UCTH and the Hospital management had laboured to explain that the shortfall wasn’t a local problem and every effort was being made to obtain relief for the affected personnel.
The Director of Administration in UCTH, Mr. Ededet Eyoma Esq. who confirmed the payment said the UCTH management has been vindicated.
He expressed delight that the difficulties which the non-regular personnel were put through for the months they stayed without pay has been brought to an end.
He maintained that the Hospital management had been sincere and transparent on the issue but regretted that some individuals had allowed themselves to be influenced by falsehood against the same management that was working assiduously to ensure their entitlements were paid.
His words, “the Management of UCTH had been consistent in her engagement with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the shortfalls in the allocation for non-regular personnel were addressed. We are happy that it’s now been addressed.”
On his part, the Chief Medical Director of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Prof. Ikpeme A. Ikpeme expressed gratitude to the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget Office of the Federation, Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA) and all relevant agencies who worked tirelessly to ensure resolution of the issue.
The CMD also thanked all affected staff and persons of goodwill who demonstrated understanding and support towards the Hospital, the Governing Board and Management during that difficult period.
The Nation gathered that those under the non-regular personnel whose payments are outside the IPPIS and were delayed for months include Medical Interns, contract staff, contract nurses, Youth Corpers among others.
One of the interns who did not want his name on print, but was among those that protested when they were being owed, confirmed receipt of his payment, noting that “up to 50% of what is owed has been paid”.