Residents at Anambra State’s Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) in Awka have threatened to go on strike due to poor working conditions and unpaid allowances.
After a meeting and the 21-working-day ultimatum to the state government expired, Dr. Onyebuchi Ichoku, the president of the hospital’s Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), announced the decision.
The physicians are requesting that the Medical Residency Training Fund, Hazard Allowance, and a 25% increase in base pay be implemented, with effect from July 2023.
According to Dr. Ichoku, the doctors have been struggling with harsh working conditions, including inadequate facilities and equipment, which have hindered their ability to provide optimal care to patients.
He underlined that the doctors had no choice but to think about going on strike because the hospital’s administration and the state government had been discharging their duties.
“We have been patient and have given the government enough time to address our grievances, but unfortunately, they have failed to do so.
“We cannot continue to work under these difficult conditions, risking our lives and those of our patients. We urge the government to take our demands seriously and take immediate action to address them,” Ichoku said.
The hospital’s and the state government’s resident doctors begged to have their complaints addressed in order to prevent a health sector catastrophe. They claimed that the government had neglected the healthcare system, which resulted in a shortage of medical staff, supplies, and infrastructure.
Although government has promised to improve the situation, the resident doctors say they have seen little progress.
“The government and hospital management must act swiftly to address the doctors’ demands and prevent a strike that could have far-reaching consequences for the people of Anambra State”, the doctors said.
Reacting on the threat of the doctors, the Chief Medical Director of the institution, Dr Joe Akabuike said the demands were legitimate and would be addressed.
Although the federal government had implemented the allowances and increments, Akabuike stated that the state government would carry out the same actions to the extent of its resources.
