The Association of Resident Doctors at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, (ARD-UBTH) has resolved to join the nationwide strike of resident doctors as directed by its national body, National Association of Resident Doctors which commences Monday, January 2nd 2017. 

 

In a statement, the ARD President of UBTH, Dr. Eustace Oseghale decried the series of missed opportunities to resolve lingering issues at the National Level with the perennial refusal of government through its officials manning various relevant organs to implement various agreements reached with the Federal Government. 

 

“Rather than seek a harmonious relationship, these officials have continually shown a high level of insincerity coupled their seeming determination to totally desiccate the cadre of resident doctors as even in their deprived state; with poor financing of their training and marked inconsistencies in their emoluments, selective implementation of punitive policies have been meted out to them.” 

 

According to the association, after a long drawn period of negotiations and engagements (spanning over two years) with government officials and stakeholders including the Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, have had to reluctantly issue a 21-day Ultimatum which elapses on the 2nd of January 2017. 

 

“One issue of concern is the long clamour by the Resident doctors to be enrolled into IPPIS platform in order to curb the excessive leakages of funds in the health care sector; one therefore wonders why some agents of government are sabotaging this germane proposal by resident doctors. 

 

“There have also been inconsistencies in interpretations and follow up on circulars from government in the health sector. The agreements reached with the honourable speaker of the House of Representatives to find a lasting solution to the crisis in the health sector have not been adhered to. “The template on residency training which was painstakingly prepared by seasoned health administrators have been left to rot even with the realization that this is one thing that can put a halt to agitations in our health institutions as NARD has made several representations while appealing for its release and implementation but to no avail,” Oseghale said. 

 

He said, the circular for the entry point for house officers is still one issue that has been left unattended to despite several promises from the relevant stake holders. 

 

“Many a resident doctor in Nigeria have not had salaries for several months but rather have been bombarded with tall tales of shortfalls in salary envelopes with the resultant untoward hardship our members have had to endure; one is left to wonder why salary envelope exhaustion appears to be peculiar to the health sector. Then facilities in the health sector are on the decline currently no radiotherapy machine is functioning in our dear country.” 

BY LARA ADEJORO