The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) members at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) in Ondo State have embarked on an indefinite strike action over non-payment of their wages and inadequate working conditions.
The medical personnel peacefully protested on Monday at the UNIMEDTH facility in Ondo town to emphasize their demands.
Among their various grievances, the striking doctors highlighted the need to rectify salary payment discrepancies and implement the new minimum wage scale.
Additional demands include the settlement of all outstanding hazard allowance arrears, payment of arrears owed to ARD members, the provision of suitable accommodation for resident doctors on the hospital premises, and the recruitment of additional doctors to enhance staffing in various departments.
Subsequently, in a statement issued on Tuesday, the President of the ARD in the state, Olaogbe Kehinde, announced the commencement of the strike, stating that the doctors have been overburdened and can no longer continue working due to the non-payment of their arrears and other entitlements.
Olaogbe pointed out that numerous doctors in the state have resigned or left without notice due to poor working conditions.
He further explained that multiple ‘save our souls’ letters had been sent to the management for consideration, but all attempts had been unsuccessful.
When reached for comment, the hospital’s Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr Gbala Michael, informed Daily Trust that the authorities had requested the striking doctors to allow for further dialogue.
Gbala acknowledged some of the doctors’ demands and stated that the state government would convene a meeting with the striking doctors to address their concerns.
