Medical services at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada, were on Friday paralyzed, following directive by the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike.
Our reporter, who visited the hospital on Friday, observed that only few doctors were seen attending to patients, especially those in critical condition that were admitted at the emergency section of the hospital.
City News also observed that some patients went outside the hospital to buy drugs, while the laboratory, pharmacy and banks within the hospital were under lock and key.
A civil servant, whose wife was on admission at the female ward of the hospital, Mr Akin Samson, while commenting on the strike, said patients are at the receiving end but commended the doctors for continuing service for the patients.
“Actually some of the doctors on ground were able to attend to my wife and few others on ground, but I have to go outside the hospital to carry out test and buy drugs,’’ he said.
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Dr. Peter Alabi, said the hospital might not be able to work in full capacity as a result of the strike action.
He said although adequate arrangement had been made to care for patients that were already on admission as doctors were running shift to ensure that patients were attended to.
“Our outdoor patient unit is still open because the doctors are running shift to ensure that patients do not suffer unduly,’’ he said.
According to him, about 300 patients were on admission before the strike commenced, saying 50 of them have been discharged on Thursday, while some 250, who are in critical conditions are to be cared for.
He appealed to both striking workers and government to dialogue and end the strike, adding that continuous strike in the health sector would not lead to the development of the country.
Efforts by our reporter to speak with the hospital’s branch chairman of JOHESU were not successful.
By Abubakar Sadiq Isah
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