Patients Groan As OAUTHC Doctors Embark On Strike

 

Yusuf Oketola

PATIENTS have been left to their fate at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Osun State, as Residents doctors of the hospital have embarked on a strike action. 

The resident doctors embarked on the two-week industrial action to protest the alleged failure of the Federal Government to pay their COVID-19 allowances and four-month salary to them.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the health workers who operate under the auspices of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the OAUTHC began the strike action on Monday after their emergency meeting.

The meeting was conducted digitally, according to a statement released by the President of the association, Dr. Anuforo Anthony, General Secretary, Dr. Enesi Ibukunoluwa, and Public Relations Officer, Dr. Martins Jesunbo.

The statement reads: “The ARD OAUTHC had earlier issued a two-week ultimatum to the management on 5th June, 2023 to resolve the crisis involving unpaid four to seven-month salaries of about 40 members. The ultimatum was further extended with great restraint, by two weeks starting from 30th June, 2023.

“Despite giving the hospital management ample time in the interest of peace to act and resolve these issues, there seems to be no end in sight and the payment of other cadres of newly employed staff persists with our members still owed salaries.

“The OAUTHC management has also not made sufficient effort in addressing the backlog of various outstanding allowances, including COVID-19 allowance, outstanding hazard allowance upgrade arrears, update course refunds amongst others.

“We have resolved to proceed on a two-week strike (at the first instance) starting from 12AM on Tuesday, 18th July, 2023 to press home our demands to get our doctors paid their salaries and allowances.”