IDEA TELEVISION NEWS DESK
Healthcare services at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu (FNHE) have been completely paralysed as the hospital’s workforce begins an indefinite strike.
The facility, which serves as the only stand-alone federal institution providing specialised mental health services in the South-East geopolitical zone, has been grounded following the strike action by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).
A senior doctor at the hospital, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the situation as dire, warning of serious consequences for psychiatric patients across the region.
“The strike is impacting negatively on the entire South-East where FNPH Enugu is the only stand-alone facility providing mental health. As we speak, the institution has completely grounded to a halt. Gaining access to critical psychiatric evaluation or emergency mental healthcare is currently impossible.”
Reason for the Strike
The industrial action followed the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum issued to hospital management on April 27, 2026. Workers are protesting the controversial “same-scale promotion” policy implemented during the 2025 promotion exercise by the hospital’s Medical Director, Dr. Unaogu Ngozika.
Under the policy, staff who passed their promotion examinations were promoted to the same grade levels they already occupied — effectively denying them salary progression and career advancement.
Hundreds of healthcare workers staged a protest within the hospital premises, demanding the immediate reversal of what they described as a disguised demotion.
Comrade Innocent Ejike, representing the Enugu State Chairman of NANNM, stated:
“As far as we’re concerned, what is wrong will never stand… There’s no way somebody will go through the rudiments and process of promotion exams and you still keep him in the same position. That is another name for stagnation.”
Union leaders also referenced a 2017 Federal Ministry of Health circular that explicitly abolished same-scale promotions in federal health institutions.
Legal Troubles of the Medical Director
Investigations reveal that Dr. Unaogu Ngozika is currently facing multiple court cases that have reportedly distracted her from effective hospital administration.
Key among them is a contempt-of-court proceeding following a December 11, 2025 judgment by the National Industrial Court in Abuja, which declared her appointment as Medical Director null and void and ordered the reinstatement of Prof. Monday Igwe.
Despite being served court orders, Dr. Unaogu has continued to perform the functions of the office, prompting fresh Form 48 contempt notices that could lead to her imprisonment.
She was previously committed to prison in 2025 by an Enugu State High Court for disobeying a court order in another case.
Current Situation
As the strike continues indefinitely, clinical operations at the hospital have been brought to a total halt, leaving patients without access to essential mental health services.
Stakeholders are calling on the Federal Ministry of Health to urgently intervene to resolve both the industrial dispute and the leadership crisis at the institution.
Source: Sahara Reporters (Adapted for IDEA TELEVISION)
