Nurses Accuse LUTH Management of Harassment, Data Tracking Over Welfare Concerns

The Elegant Nurses Forum has accused the management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) of attempting to intimidate and monitor nurses who speak out on welfare issues.

In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide, the group alleged that the Chief Medical Director, Professor Wasiu Lanre Adeyemo, authorised the distribution of forms requiring nurses to provide personal information, including phone numbers.

According to the forum, the exercise was designed to identify and track individuals who have been vocal about workers’ welfare and have sought external support to amplify their concerns.

The statement read: “It was brought to our attention yesterday that the CMD authorised the circulation of forms which nurses were coerced into filling, providing their personal information and phone numbers.

“The alleged purpose of this exercise is to identify and track individuals who have been speaking up about welfare concerns and seeking support to amplify their voices.”

The forum described the development as alarming, stating that instead of addressing workers’ welfare challenges, the hospital leadership appeared focused on silencing critics.

“This action is alarming. Instead of addressing the pressing issues affecting workers’ welfare, the CMD appears more concerned with shielding corruption, intimidating staff, suppressing dissent, and violating the fundamental rights of workers,” the group said.

The nurses warned that tracking employees’ personal information for the purpose of identifying critics was not only unethical but also unlawful.

They further linked the alleged action to a history of repression under the current administration, citing previous claims that the CMD had suppressed union activities and withheld salaries of some doctors who participated in strikes organised by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

While clarifying that the forum represents nurses and not doctors, the group expressed solidarity with affected medical practitioners.

“We stand in full solidarity with the affected doctors and affirm that an injury to one healthcare worker is an injury to all,” the statement added.

The forum also raised concerns over the safety of nurses, noting that the exposure of personal data in a country facing insecurity could have grave consequences.

“In a country battling insecurity, kidnapping, and banditry, the careless or deliberate exposure of workers’ personal information places lives at risk,” the group warned.

The nurses demanded an immediate halt to any data collection aimed at profiling staff, full transparency regarding the purpose of the exercise, and protection from intimidation and victimisation.

They also called on the Federal Ministry of Health and other relevant authorities to investigate the allegations and ensure the prompt payment of all withheld salaries.

The forum said many nurses at LUTH currently feel unsafe and intimidated, warning that management would be held accountable should any harm come to staff as a result of the alleged hostile environment.

“Healthcare workers deserve dignity, protection, and fair treatment, not surveillance and repression,” the group said.

Efforts to obtain a response from Professor Adeyemo were unsuccessful, as he did not answer calls or respond to messages at the time of filing this report.