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Resident Doctors at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Teaching Hospital (Parklane) said they would embark on indefinite strike from January 31 over abysmal shortage of doctors, insecurity and poor sponsorship of residency programmes.
The doctors said the strike would commence following the expiration of seven weeks grace earlier served on the state government on the issue. The strike notice is contained in a communiqué issued, yesterday, after the end of the emergency general meeting of doctors, held in the guise of Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), ESUT Teaching Hospital.
The communiqué was jointly signed by the President, Chukwunonso Ofonere, and Secretary General, Ikemefuna Nnamani. It observed, with regret, the silence from the management of the hospital on the 14-day ultimatum issued and another 49 days of grace for it to meet the demands of the association.
The statement said that both the state government and management of the hospital had failed to declare a state of emergency on employment of doctors, safety and security within the hospital.
It observed that it is over 180 days since the state government, through the Secretary to the State Government, promised employment of medical officers, Resident Doctors and payment of Medical Residency Training Funds (MRTF) without any action.
The doctors noted that the security men placed at the gate were no longer there, adding that direct daily assault on doctors and other health workers had increased. They also contended that house officers were excluded from the hardship/palliative of N25, 000 given by the state governor.
It said: “We are still back to where we were in 2023, or even worse as plans are on the way to increase the rents of those living in the hospital quarters (one bedroom apartment) by about 375 per cent from N8, 000 to N30, 000 monthly.
“This will escalate the already palpable crises, and we will be left with no other alternatives but to protect the interest and welfare of our members.”
