By Milcah Tanimu
Two registered nurses, Mrs. Mercy Chekwubechi and Charity Ikonne, who lost their jobs at Davestar Hospital in Lagos, are taking on the hospital’s management over allegations of unfair treatment. The nurses claim they were dismissed for refusing to attend a compulsory prayer vigil and engaging in tasks such as sweeping the hospital premises, as directed by the management.
Upon joining Davestar Hospital, the nurses were allegedly informed of an upcoming night vigil, which they initially believed to be optional. However, they later discovered that attendance was mandatory for staff members, with potential consequences for non-compliance, such as delayed salary payments or cancellation of off days.
Chekwubechi alleges that she was terminated after expressing concerns about the compulsory vigil and being mandated to perform casual tasks like sweeping and washing the hospital premises. She claims to have sought permission for missing a vigil due to personal reasons but had her off days removed from the schedule without explanation. The nurses also allege that they were used for marketing duties without proper compensation and faced delays in salary payments.
The hospital’s management, led by MD Akinola, denies the allegations, stating that Chekwubechi was dismissed for gross misconduct. Akinola asserts that he has never terminated anyone for not attending a vigil and accuses Chekwubechi of unprofessional behavior.
In response to the nurses’ claims, Dr. Laz Eze, co-founder of the Sub-Saharan Africa Brain Health Initiative, condemns the hospital’s actions, stating that subjecting nurses to such duties infringes on their fundamental human rights. He emphasizes that participation in religious activities should not be a requirement for healthcare workers and describes the alleged practices as both unlawful and unethical.
The nurses maintain that their dismissal was unjust, and their legal challenge against the hospital’s management is unfolding amid allegations of religious imposition and mistreatment.