The Association of Resident Doctors at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo State, has initiated a 14-day warning strike to protest the non-payment of seven months’ salaries to their new members.
Members of the association staged a protest on the premises of the medical facility on Tuesday, emphasizing their resolve to halt activities at the government-owned hospital until their grievances are addressed.
Dr. John Matthew, President of the UNIMEDTH ARD, expressed dismay during the protest, highlighting that their members are yet to receive their due entitlements.
Among the grievances leading to the warning strike are the failure to provide palliatives to house officers since February, non-payment of February hazard allowance despite promises by the state government, and the shortage of staff due to doctors resigning from the institution.
Dr. Matthew emphasized the urgent need for the full payment of salary arrears, payment of February 2024 palliative to house officers, immediate disbursement of February hazard allowance to members, and swift action to address the severe shortage of clinical manpower in the hospital.
He revealed that the hospital’s workforce has significantly diminished, with only 26 ARD members remaining compared to 150 a few months ago, attributing the decline to the “Japa syndrome” prevalent among staff.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association has called on the state government to address the critical shortage of resident doctors in state-owned hospitals.
In a communiqué issued after its meeting, the association highlighted the exodus of doctors from the state to seek better opportunities locally and internationally, leaving the healthcare sector understaffed.
The association underscored the urgent need to attract and retain medical professionals in the state to ensure effective healthcare delivery.
