Posted on: Wed 06-09-2017

The management of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital,(UITH )Ilorin yesterday promised uninterrupted medical services at the hospital in spite of the on going national strike of the Association of Residents Doctors, (ARD). 

According to the Head Corporate Affairs Unit of the hospital, Mrs Olufunmilayo Omojasola yesterday in a chat, at an emergency meeting of the management presided over by the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Professor Abdulwaheed Olatinwo, the management lamented the recurrence of the strike action by this category of doctors across the nation, describing it as a wake up call to consultants and other categories of health workers of the hospital. 

Underlining the importance of the 'Hippocratic Oath' to all categories of doctors at their induction ceremony, the UITH management said it would ensure quality services to all the patients of the hospital, "as if there was no strike", just as it reminded the striking doctors of the need to respect the sanctity of the oath in order to save lives.

Olatinwo noted, "we will take adequate care of all our in patients and ensure that they are on their feet and fit enough to go home before they are discharged. "

Other top notchers of the UITH at the meeting were; the Chief Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), Professor Olayinka Buhari, Director of Administration, Mr. David Odaibo, the Heads of Departments, and the Chief Security Advisers among others. 

The Emergency Paediatric, Accident and Emergency, Obstetrics and Gynaecoloy Emergency units, operating theatres among others have been directed to open their doors for all the round the clock services. Besides, the Consultants have pledged to render full services to all the patients of the hospital. It was also resolved at the paley that consultants on leave many be recalled to duties "if the needs are glaring. No patient of the hospital would be turned back. "

Already, a register has been opened for House Officers, local residents and supernumerary doctors just as they were reminded of the current service rules that barred them from embarking on leave with a caveat, "if they do (join the strike ) however, the management will incur the full weight of the extant rules against them. "

Besides, adequate security measures have been put in place to prevent violent picketing during the strike. According to the management, "in fact it will be a right thing for striking doctors to stay at home than coming to the hospital premises to harass those at their duty posts. "

Investigations yesterday at the UITH showed that smooth running of the system was sustained just as many relatives of the patients interviewed, expressed their ignorance to the ARD strike. 

According to Aminat Makun, a female relation of an Orthopedic patient from Edu Local Government Area (LGA) of Kwara state, "strike? Are you sure of your question? But we saw doctors just now attending to patients in the ward. So, what do you mean by a strike. "

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