UUTH Resident Doctors Don Begin Seven-Day Warning Strike – Patients Dey Suffer

Resident doctors for University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) don begin seven-day warning strike to protest unpaid allowances and poor working conditions. According to the doctors, government don fail to meet dem demands despite several notices and meetings.

The doctors talk say dem don tire to dey work without proper pay, accommodation and medical facilities. Some even complain say dem dey buy equipment with their own money just to save patients’ lives.

Because of the strike, many patients don dey stranded for hospital as treatment don stop for most departments. Some relatives dey rush move their sick people go private clinics wey dey collect high money.

Union Leaders Blame Government for Neglect and Empty Promises

National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) chapter for UUTH talk say the strike na only warning shot, and if government no respond fast, dem fit extend am. The chairman of the association yarn say dem don write several letters but government just dey play deaf ear.

He talk say, “We no fit continue to dey work under stress when government no dey care about our welfare. We no be slaves, we be professionals wey deserve better.”

The doctors also lament say delay in salary, hazard allowance and shortage of staff don make hospital work frustrating. Dem say enough is enough — this time, action must follow talk.

UUTH Management and Government Beg Doctors Make Dem Return

UUTH management don react, beg the resident doctors make dem suspend the strike for the sake of patients. The Chief Medical Director (CMD) talk say discussions still dey go on with the Ministry of Health to settle the issues quickly.

He talk say, “We understand their pain, but we dey work with Abuja to release funds and meet their demands soon.” Meanwhile, the federal government also appeal to the doctors, say strike no be the only solution.

Patients and family members don beg both sides make dem find peace fast, because the strike don already cause plenty hardship for the poor masses wey no fit afford private hospitals.