By Desire Emmanuel
The Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos State, has been accused of short-changing its pharmacy and medical laboratory science interns by paying them the sum of N162,000 instead of N242,000 written in their internship acceptance letter.
The internship, which began in February this year, is expected to last for a period of one year.
One of the interns at the hospital (names withheld for fear of intimidation) disclosed that for more than six months after they began working as interns, they have been paid N162,000 instead of N242,000 per month.
According to the intern, their appointment letters, a copy of which he made available, stated that their total monthly allowance is around N242,000 but they have not received such an amount since he and others started working there in February.
He disclosed that after series of complaints and protests, the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Olugbenga Owoeye, addressed them in July, informing them that they would get the arrears in September once the 2025 budget is implemented.
He however said they are still paid N162,000 in October and owing arrears of N60,000 monthly for nine month which translates to N540,000.
He alleged that they are always made to work so hard on a daily basis and even do extra hours in order to ensure the smooth running of the hospital.
“We don’t deserve this treatment. All we are asking for is to be paid our actual allowances, arrears inclusive,” he said.
He stated that their one year internship programme will end at the end of January and if the hospital continues to pay them the short-changed amount, the interns will each be owed N720,000.
He therefore urged those in authorities to look into the plight of the interns working at the hospital.
