UNIMEDTH Denies FUTATH Salary Claims, Says Ondo Government Paid Over ₦2.3 Billion to Staff
UNIMEDTH has dismissed claims by the FUTATH that the Federal Government has been responsible for paying staff salaries during the hospital's transition.
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University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) has rejected FUTATH's claim that the Federal Government paid staff salaries, revealing that the Ondo State Government spent over ₦2.3 billion on workers during the transition period.
The clarification was made in a statement issued by the Chief Medical Director of UNIMEDTH, Prof. Michael Gbala, who described reports credited to the management of FUTATH as inaccurate and misleading.
According to the statement, FUTATH had allegedly claimed that the Federal Government "continues to invest substantial resources in its growth and remains responsible for the payment of staff salaries and other crucial obligations."
However, Prof. Gbala maintained that the claim does not reflect the true situation, stressing that the Ondo State Government, through UNIMEDTH, has consistently paid the salaries and emoluments of staff since the hospital's transition.
He explained that from the handover of the facility in October 2025 until June 2026, the state government remained solely responsible for salary payments while awaiting the completion of the Federal Government's staff verification and absorption process.
According to him, the Ondo State Government has spent more than ₦2.3 billion on salaries and staff emoluments for workers currently serving at FUTATH, despite the institution having already been transferred to the Federal Government.
Gbala stated that the financial intervention was made in line with the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) governing the transition of the hospital.
"This extraordinary financial commitment was made in good faith and in strict compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding guiding the transition. The payments were intended to bridge the gap pending the completion of the Federal Government's staff verification and absorption process," he said.
The UNIMEDTH Chief Medical Director argued that it was incorrect to suggest that the Federal Government had been paying staff salaries throughout the transition period.
He noted that such assertions diminish the significant financial commitment made by the Ondo State Government and misrepresent facts that can easily be verified.
Gbala also reaffirmed UNIMEDTH's commitment to transparency, accountability, and faithful implementation of the transition agreement, emphasizing that public institutions have a responsibility to provide accurate and truthful information in their official communications.
He added that the Ondo State Government deserves recognition for sustaining the workforce financially throughout the transition period.
The latest development comes amid ongoing labour-related disputes at FUTATH, which have attracted the attention of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Earlier, the Federal Government approved a take-off workforce of 1,200 staff for FUTATH after an inter-ministerial verification exercise conducted between December 8 and 12, 2025.
The verification exercise, however, found **265 employees** of the former state-owned teaching hospital ineligible for absorption into the Federal Civil Service, with recommendations that they be redeployed to the Ondo State Government.
The disagreement over salary payments is expected to add another dimension to the ongoing transition process as stakeholders continue efforts to fully integrate FUTATH into the Federal Government's healthcare system.
