OAUTH removes office beds to combat sexual harassment

Some staff at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Ile-Ife, Osun State, have expressed dissatisfaction following the decision to remove beds from office spaces in the hospital.

On Wednesday, Professor John Okeniyi, the hospital’s Chief Medical Director (CMD), announced that office beds would be removed to address the issue of sexual harassment at the facility.

Okeniyi stated that the presence of beds in offices has contributed to instances of harassment and emphasized that the new measure is part of a strict anti-sexual harassment policy.

“The laws are clear—no sexual harassment. Ignorance is no longer a defence,” Okeniyi said. “From now on, violators will face strict punishment, and we will expose offenders online for public shame.”

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He further noted that the hospital’s night shifts are for work, not sleep, and personally committed to supervising the removal of office beds. SERVICOM, the hospital’s service delivery team, has also been empowered to take action against harassment complaints.

However, some staff members, while acknowledging the issue of sexual harassment, feel that the bed removal policy is too harsh. One non-clinical worker said that while they support efforts to reduce harassment, removing beds could negatively affect innocent staff who need rest after night shifts. “It will impact the well-being and productivity of staff who are not involved in any wrongdoing,” the worker explained.

Despite the mixed reactions, the CMD’s plan is expected to take effect soon as part of broader efforts to ensure a safer, more professional work environment at OAUTH.