The Association of Resident Doctors, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (ARD-LUTH), Idi-Araba, branch said on Monday that its members would embark on total strike on June 29.
Dr Ramon Moronkola, the President of the association, made this known at a rally organised to further press for the payment of skipping allowance as directed by the Federal Government.
Moronkola said that failure of the hospital management to implement the skipping allowance amounted to unilateral breach of agreements reached with the Federal Government on December 16, 2013 and January 4, 2014.
“The issue of skipping of non-doctors dates back to a couple of years, and it is a system where health workers enjoy what is apparently a double promotion compared to doctors.
“One would have thought that the whole problem would have been laid to rest with the position of the Federal Government on the universality of skipping in the health sector.
“However, several heads of hospitals have disobeyed the circular on the skipping of doctors, especially the management of LUTH, perhaps on the directives of a committee of Chief Medical Directors (CMDs).
“We gave LUTH management a seven-day ultimatum on June 8 to implement the payment of skipping.
“Now, we have embarked on three days warning strike which will end on Wednesday, June 17.
“We hope that this will further serve as a window of opportunity for productive dialogue to avert total strike.
“If having explored and utilised all positive ways to reach out to the management on this issue without any result, the association will embark on total strike from June 29.
“We are not unmindful, as doctors, of our responsibilities to Nigerians.
“Indeed, words cannot capture the regrets and pains we feel for the great suffering of Nigerians during periods of industrial disharmony.
“ In light of this, we appeal to Nigerians to prevail on the hospital’s management to pay resident doctors their skipping allowance and May salary.
“Management should also address other challenges in this hospital which include insecurity, power and general environmental outlook, to prevent the institution from falling below expectations,’’ Moronkola said.
On the issue of insecurity, he said: “thieves and robbers now come regularly into LUTH to rob doctors and patients.
“For about five months now, doctors were being subjected to incessant robbery attacks in the lounge.
“Light is also another issue; many doctors take calls in darkness, in dilapidated and mosquitoes-infested call rooms; yet, nothing has been done.
“One would expect that in the midst of all these unwholesome situations, which are unbecoming of any health institution of great repute, the management should be engaging aggrieved parties in dialogues.
“Rather, the management is threatening its workers, creating an atmosphere of tension and restricting movement into the facility,’’ Morokonla said.
In his remark, Dr Akinwunmi Afolabi, a former Vice-President of ARD-LUTH, said: “If we go on strike, it will affect everyone.
“Because, we are human beings and we also have relatives who may need medical attention.
“So, we plead with all Nigerians to prevail on the management to address these challenge, to avert this needless and avoidable crisis in the interest of the common man.
“ARD-LUTH supports the new government and we are totally committed to a positive change, peace and general progress of the health sector,’’ Afolabi said.
In his reaction, Prof. Chris Bode, LUTH Acting Chief Medical Director, said that the management had met and pleaded with the association many times to show understanding on their demands.
“We have told them that payment of such money is not within the capacity of any teaching hospital.
“I do not have about N50 million to pay resident doctors monthly. Strike is not the solution to these challenges as lives of innocent people are at stake. It will not solve the problems.
“ARD should not disrupt services in this institution. Those that do not want to work can go, but they should please allow those that want to work to work.
“Since the Federal Government has given directives for this money to be paid, I believe that in due course, it will be paid,’’ Bode said.
