The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Teaching Hospital says it will embark on indefinite strike over abysmal shortage of doctors and insecurity.

The doctors said the indefinite strike would commence on January 31, 2024, a day after its period of grace had expired.

The doctors had, in December 2023, issued an ultimatum to the Enugu State Government. The ultimatum also expired the same month after which the association gave a period of grace which expires on January 30.

However, the association, in a communique issued at the end of the Emergency General Meeting (EGM) in ESUT Teaching Hospital on Monday, said it observed with regret, the silence from the management of the hospital on the 14-day ultimatum issued and another 49 days period of grace following the ultimatum for it to meet the demands of the association.

The doctors said the management of ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parklane, and the Enugu State Government failed to declare a state of emergency on the employment of doctors and safety and security within the hospital.

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“The EGM observed that it is over 180 days since the Government, through the Secretary to the State Government, promised ARD of employment of Medical Officers, Resident Doctors and payment of medical Residency Training Funds (MRTF), but we are yet to see the employment of new doctors,” they stated.

They noted that security operatives placed at the gate of the hospital are no longer there, saying the daily assault on doctors has increased.

The doctors stressed that their safety alongside other health workers in the hospital cannot be guaranteed.

The doctors added: “The management should declare a state of emergency on the employment of doctors in the hospital. There should be an urgent approval for the recruitment of Medical Officers, Resident Doctors, and House Officers in the hospital.

“This recruitment should be focused especially at the Accident and Emergency Department, Surgery Department, Internal Medicine Department, Paediatrics Department, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Departments. Resident Doctors who have left our institution in the past four years have not been replaced.

“Management should ensure implementation of safety policies to protect its workers against physical attacks and kidnap by restoring the daily police and other covert security personnel deployed to the hospital.

“The 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) has not been paid and exam bodies are closing their adverts.”

The Star