During a session with the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Character investigating claims of staff list inflation at Onitsha General Hospital, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Tunji Alausa, disclosed the discovery of 406 unauthorized personnel added to the hospital’s staff roster. This revelation surfaced subsequent to the federal government assuming control of the facility.
Alausa explained that the management of the hospital engaged in unlawful staff list manipulation shortly after its conversion into a Federal Medical Center (FMC). Originally under the ownership of the Anambra State Government, the hospital transitioned to an FMC in 2022 following the enactment of legislation signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari. In April 2023, a Memorandum of Understanding between the federal government and the Anambra State Government facilitated the transfer of hospital assets to federal authority.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo initially transferred the Onitsha General Hospital along with the Eye Center, Nise, and Trauma and Orthopedic Centre. However, only the Onitsha General Hospital was officially designated for takeover according to the National Assembly Gazette.
A petition lodged with the House of Representatives raised concerns about illicit recruitment and staff strength inflation at the hospital.
Regarding the nominal payroll, Alausa clarified that the Anambra State Government initially transferred 977 staff to the federal government in April 2023. This figure encompassed employees from the Onitsha General Hospital, Eye Center, Nise, and Trauma and Orthopedic Centre. Subsequently, the Eye Center, Nise, and Trauma and Orthopedic Centre were excluded from the assets to be handed over, reducing the staff list to 647 individuals post-review.
Alausa disclosed that among the 647 staff transferred, a verification team found that 241 were recruited before the end of 2022, 348 received employment offers in 2023, while 58 did not participate in the verification process. He criticized the hospital management’s actions as “disturbing and outright shenanigans,” emphasizing that only those recruited before the end of 2022 are eligible for transition to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
The minister highlighted that the Anambra State Government continues to remunerate hospital workers until a staff audit is completed. Only the 241 verified staff will be transferred to the IPPIS.
In response to the minister’s remarks, Committee member Idu Emeka presented evidence of ongoing personnel recruitment by the hospital even after the MOU signing. Alausa affirmed the ministry’s awareness of such letters, reiterating that only the 241 verified staff are recognized.
Committee Chairperson Ahmed Idris instructed the hospital’s Medical Director, Mercy Anugwu, to furnish the committee with the hospital’s nominal roll, bank-issued salary schedule, and comprehensive staff details by the following Tuesday. Anugwu was further directed to appear before the committee again the subsequent Wednesday.