BY TERNA INJUA
Resident doctors at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, BSUTH have embarked on an indefinite strike over failure of the Benue State Government to meet with some of their welfare and entitlements.
President, Association of Resident Doctors, Dr Terhile Igba listed the unresolved issues that prompted the strike to include eighteen months salary arrears, Medical Training Funds as well as the dilapidated state of doctors hostels and quarters.
Dr Igba explained that the indefinite strike became necessary to mount pressure on the management to respond to their issues after they failed to meet the three weeks warning strike ultimatum.
He maintained that unless their demands are addressed, the strike would continue and called on the Government to listen to the issues and act accordingly to enable them return back to work.
Meanwhile, Medical services at the Teaching Hospital Makurdi have so far not been disrupted by the industrial action by the Resident as patients are being attended to promptly by house Officers, Consultants and medical officers who are drafted on short term basis to ensure smooth running of the facility.
The Chief Medical Director of BSUTH, Dr Stephen Hwande told the Association of Resident Doctors to uphold their agreement with the state Government and end the industrial action in the interest of the patients.
Dr. Hwande explained that just last week, an agreement was reached and signed by the representatives of the union, which had in attendance the Secretary to the State Government, Head of Service, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health during which it was resolved that a follow up on Governor Hyacinth Alia for payment be done by the permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health before the strike suddenly commenced.
He stressed that the ongoing strike was not related to unpaid salaries but the Medical Residency Training Fund, an annual financial support package for the training of resident doctors.#
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