Resident doctors at the Federal Medical Centre in Katsina State have accused the hospital’s management of neglecting their welfare and that of other staff members saying the development has been largely responsible for provision of poor services at the centre. President of Association of Resident Doctors, Dr Sulieman Mohammed, in a statement lamented the non payment of staff entitlement amounting to N16 million.

 

Dr Mohammed said of the amount, about N8 million was shortfall of January and February salaries, while N5 million was for training fees for resident doctors. He said centre’s management had failed to settle salary arrears of newly employed doctors for a four-month period, as well as 2014 December salary to 50 resident doctors and house officers. The association’s president also expressed dissatisfaction over non implementation of skipping for doctors of which was already being implemented in other federal medical centres.

 

He wondered why hospital’s management failed to settle staff entitlements despite an increase of N345.55 million in personnel cost of which was contained in the 2015 budget. He said, the amount in addition to an average of N16 million revenue being generated monthly should go a long way in settling such entitlements.

 

Mohammed said the strike action embarked upon by resident doctors about eight weeks ago would not be called off until hospital’s management settles outstanding entitlements. Reacting on the issue, the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Abdulmajid Umar pleaded with the resident doctors to understand the financial situation of the hospital.

 

Umar said, the hospital has no money at present to settle their entitlements while calling on striking doctors to resume work in interest of the state and nation.

SOURCE: http://nationalmirroronline.net/