Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka
The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Awka, Anambra, has embarked on a seven-day warning strike to press home their demands for better working conditions.
This was announced in a communiqué issued at the end of its emergency virtual meeting held on Sept. 10, titled “Notification for Commencement of Industrial Action.”
The communiqué, which was issued and signed by Dr. Joy Okwumuo and Dr. Chukwubuike Ifekudu, President and Secretary of ARD COOUTH, respectively, said the strike would commence effectively at 12 noon on Thursday.
The ARD COOUTH said the action followed several failed efforts to engage the Anambra government to pay the 100 percent Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), which it promised to do from January 2025.
They also cited the non-payment of the upward-revised CONMESS salary structure, accoutrement, rural posting, specialist and teaching allowances with accumulated arrears, as well as shortage of doctors leading to overworking of the available resident doctors.
They demanded payment of the MRTF to all resident doctors in COOUTH and the domestication of the same to forestall recurrent issues of non-payment. They also urged the government to address the brain drain by employing more doctors to meet the recommended approved number by the medical colleges in each department.
“ARD COOUTH Executives have made several futile efforts to engage the government since this year to see to the realisation of the promises made to us that led to the suspension of the industrial action on Oct. 4, 2024.
“The government failed to meet our demands within the 10 days ultimatum as issued by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) communiqué dated September 1 following their extraordinary National Executive Council meeting.
“Having exhausted one year waiting without any positive response, ARD COOUTH has regrettably resolved to commence industrial action.
“COOUTH resident doctors resolved to embark on a seven-day warning strike beginning from 12 noon of Sept. 11, 2025.
“We hope that all demands are met to prevent indefinite industrial action that might be a consequence.”
ARD COOUTH called on the hospital management, other relevant bodies, and the public to appeal to the government on the need to meet their demands as soon as possible for efficient and effective service delivery.
“ARD COOUTH wishes that these issues are resolved timely to further prevent the regrettable disharmony this situation will cause in the state tertiary health facility.
“ARD COOUTH appreciates all institutions and individuals who have consistently shown unwavering commitment to our welfare,” it said.
