Another health worker at the hospital condemned the decision, saying the management should have resolved the problem instead of querying the nurses.
Lagos General Hospital in Agege has issued query letters to several nurses after they complained about a faulty air conditioning unit in their workplace, SaharaReporters has learned.
A source privy to the situation told SaharaReporters during a telephone conversation that the nurses working in the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit have endured difficult conditions due to poor ventilation.
“We have a problem with a conducive working environment at the hospital, particularly for the nurses attached to the Accident and Emergency Unit. Their room is very small to accommodate them, so there is a need for a functioning air conditioner (AC) to suppress the heat and congestion.
“But the AC became faulty a few weeks ago, and despite several pleas to the management to get it repaired, they turned a deaf ear to it. On Monday, the nurses who worked the night shift till Tuesday morning felt the situation was no longer bearable. The heat was too much for them to remain silent, so they approached the management again and pleaded for a solution.
“This time, the nurses only threatened that if the management refused to listen, it might affect their work and service to patients. The management begged them and promised to do something about it. That was on Tuesday morning. However, surprisingly, the management served them with query letters—all of them who complained.
“The queries are just a way of silencing them. They just wanted to threaten them to continue working in an uncomfortable environment,” the source said.
Another health worker at the hospital condemned the decision, saying the management should have resolved the problem instead of querying the nurses.
“The issuance of a query is the height of it. This AC issue has been ongoing for long, and nothing was done about it until we expressed our grievances—then a query was given.
“The room is too small, no window, no AC. The toilet is directly connected to the septic tank—no chamber, no vent. The management could have addressed these issues without issuing a query.
“My bone of contention is: why was a query given? Should we continue to keep quiet when we are at risk of respiratory tract infection?” the source asked.
A copy of the query letter, dated March 4, 2025, reads: “You are to explain within 24 hours of the receipt of this query why disciplinary action should not be taken against you for the understated.
“It was reported on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, that you refused to attend to patients due to complaints of a non-functional air conditioning system in your changing room.
“The management understands the importance of a safe and healthy working environment and takes these concerns seriously. However, personnel also have a responsibility to ensure that patient care is not compromised.
“This lackadaisical behaviour of yours is an act of negligence of duty, which is misconduct according to the Public Service Rule section 040501(V).
“In view of the above allegation, you are to respond (in writing) to the undersigned within the stipulated time. Your refusal to act accordingly will mean you do not have any response to offer and as such, disciplinary action shall proceed against you in accordance with the Public Service Rule, section 040501(V), punishable under section 040503 with sanction.”
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