Resident Doctors threaten nationwide indefinite strike

Resident Doctors in the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) chapter of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), has asked the Federal Government to pay their allowances to avoid strike action.

The President of ARD, UITH branch, Dr Lanre Olosunde, warned in a statement that the strike would commence on June 15, if their demand was not addressed.

Olosunde said that health workers were poorly paid in spite the hazard encountered with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, incurring extra expenses and facing greater health risks.

According to him, the federal government wants to stall and if possible renege on agreement signed to pay hazard allowance to health workers. He said,

“There is no better time for a government to prioritise health, workers and institutions. It is seven-days to a national indefinite strike by resident doctors. This strike is avertable if the government honours the agreement.

The government should not be insensitive to doctors who have been in the front line especially in the on-going battle against COVID-19. 

Resident doctors constitute one of the major human power driving the healthcare of the nation."

Olosunde said that many doctors have died in the line of duty after been exposed to dangerous diseases, urging government to do the needful. 

“We have negotiated like gentlemen over and over again, but we have been left with no other option than to speak out loud and clear with a strike since the government has refused to do the needful,” he said.

Olosunde noted that the implications of being a health worker in the COVID-19 crisis was that while others stayed at home during the lock down, health workers went to work.

NMA, resident doctors attack Abiodun over strike comment

On Monday, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Ogun State chapter and the South-West caucus of the Association of Resident Doctors attacked the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, for berating doctors at the Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching Hospital, Sagamu.

The NMA said it was disappointed and ashamed of the governor for calling its members irresponsible for demanding their rights.

The NARD South-West stated its position in a statement by its leader, Dr Oiwoh Sebastine, to journalists in Abeokuta on Monday.

The NARD caucus comprising members in Ogun, Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states said the doctors’ demand was in line with international best practices needed for the care of the entire populace.

Abiodun was reported to have described the strike embarked upon by the Resident Doctors at the OOUTH, Sagamu, as irresponsible and politically motivated.

But the NMA on Monday expressed disappointment over the governor’s comment.

The NMA chairman, Ismail Lawal, said he was ashamed over the comment made by the governor.

He lamented that political leaders were fond of making doctors to beg for their rights. Lawal said, 

“I am ashamed and disappointed. It implies that we are already grooming a constituted authority in the state. At our level, I believe that any doctor who passed through medical school for a minimum of six years to get NBBS, that person should have something to offer.

It is unbecoming of political officers to see your asking for your rights as if they are doing you a favour.”

The NMA chairman urged the governor to implement the recommendations of a committee set up to look into the crisis at the OOUTH.

The NARD in its statement stated that without going pedestrian, the demand of the Ogun State doctors was not misplaced especially as the time of COVID-19 pandemic with Ogun State being one of the epicentres in Nigeria.

It added, “Surprisingly, owing to the outmost respect our members have for the seat of power in the state, our members had expected that His  Excellency, the governor of Ogun State will carefully holistically and needed pragmatism look into the demands devoid of any emotional blackmail

But the use of unprintable words by the governor is in the least unbefitting and unacceptable from the occupant of that exalted seat.’’