Resident doctors at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Ugbowo, Edo State, have suspended the seven-day warning strike which they embarked upon over alleged mismanagement by authorities of the hospital.
The doctors, under the aegies of the Association of Resident Doctors, had in a statement signed by its chapter President, Omorogbe Owen, on November 22 accused the management of the institution of allegedly charging patients exorbitant medical fees.
Other grievances listed by the doctors were loss of accreditation of departments, shortage of staff, poor facilities and poor remuneration, which the management of the teaching hospital denied. The Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, Prof. Gabriel Ofovwe, said, “The amount charged as bed fee per day is N1,200 and not N3,900, as alleged by the ARD. We build-in the cost and return of our services before we charge patients and we have a booklet containing all these charges.”
Ofovwe explained that it was impossible for the hospital to offer services free to patients, as such would financially ground the institution.
He added, “The residents doctors are not part of management staff; so they do not know what it takes to run the hospital. That is the reason they go on strike incessantly.
“Concerning the fees charged (patients), power is a challenge in this country. So, we drive this hospital by generators. We have one of the highest numbers of generators in the country and the cost of diesel is astronomical.”
However, Owen told our correspondent on the telephone that the strike was suspended on Wednesday, following the intervention of the Minister of Health (State), Dr. Osagie Ehanire, and some stakeholders, including traditional rulers.
He explained that the association had agreed to use the period of the suspension to provide opportunities for further negotiations on the issues raised.
He added that members of the association had been directed to resume work.
“Few of the emoluments have been paid. But the minister personally met with us and promised to ensure that other payments are paid,” Owen said on Thursday.
By: Alexander Okere,
Punch News
ABUJA: Training Schedule for Basic Life Support BLS, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support ACLS, First Aid, CPR, AED
PORTHARCOURT: Training Schedule for Basic Life Support BLS, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support ACLS, First Aid, CPR, AED
LAGOS: Training Schedule for Basic Life Support BLS, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support ACLS, First Aid, CPR, AED
STOP paying for airtime and electricity, Let your phone pay its bills with ScreenT
You may also like
Comrade Lemii Christian Emerges Chairman of NANNM Rivers State Branch in Historic Victory
PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA Following the long awaited National Association of N…
FG Supports Robotic Surgery Expansion to Reduce Medical Tourism
Nigeria is taking another step toward strengthening specialised healthcare …
Complete Knee Replacement Rehabilitation Package in Lagos
Knee replacement surgery is a major step toward pain relief and improved mo…
NAMDA threatens strike over unpaid medical lecturers’ allowances
The Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) has warned…
Resident Doctors Signal End to Strike Threat After High-Level Talks with Gbajabiamila
The threat of a nationwide indefinite strike by the Nigerian Association of…
