Doctors employed under the Association of Resident Doctors at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital in Ondo State have initiated an indefinite strike, citing dire working conditions and inadequate welfare packages.
Protests Precede Strike Action
The strike follows a protest on Monday where doctors rallied against the hospital’s management for neglecting their demands. Their grievances include unauthorized salary deductions, excessively high taxation, and the failure to pay hazard allowances.
Details of the Doctors’ Demands
Dr. Olaogbe Kehinde, the President of the UNIMEDTH chapter of the Association of Resident Doctors, spoke during a press conference in Akure about the escalating strain on doctors due to mass resignations driven by substandard welfare. He highlighted the urgent need for addressing salary irregularities, implementing the new minimum wage scale, and ensuring salary parity with other teaching hospitals as per the constitutional guidelines.
Impact of the Strike on Healthcare
Dr. Kehinde expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to patients but emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “We deeply regret any inconvenience this strike may cause to patients and the public, but we have been pushed to the wall.”
Escalation of Staff Exodus
Former ARD President, Dr. John Matthew, supported Kehinde’s statements, pointing out that the poor conditions have led to an exodus of doctors from Ondo State to regions offering better pay, like Ogun. He detailed issues like illegal salary cuts, excessive taxation, and overall poor welfare as reasons behind the mass departure. “We will not return to work until our demands are met. This is about survival,” Matthew declared, adding that at one point, the hospital had been disconnected from the electrical grid, leaving staff to work and rest in darkness.
Hospital Management’s Response
In response, Dr. Gbala Micheal, the Chief Medical Director of UNIMEDTH, has called for patience from the striking doctors. He assured that the management is actively working on resolving the highlighted issues but requires additional time to implement necessary changes.
