The Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, members at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) in Ondo State initiated a 14-day warning strike.
Their grievances include the non-payment of seven months’ salaries to new members. During a peaceful protest at the hospital premises, the doctors pledged to cease activities until the government addresses their concerns.
Dr. John Matthew, the President of UNIMEDTH ARD, highlighted that the newly recruited members at the teaching hospital are yet to receive their salaries, speaking to reporters during the protest.
Dr. Matthew further stressed that part of the reasons for the warning strike include non-payment of palliative to House Officers since February, failure to disburse the February Hazard Allowance despite assurances from the state government to settle two months, and shortage of staff resulting from the resignation of doctors from the hospital.
He revealed that there were only 26 members of ARD in the hospital, as against 150 a few months ago.
“We demand full payment of the arrears of salaries owed to our members and payment of the February 2024 palliative to our house officers.
“Management should pay a February hazard allowance to our members and urgently address the severe clinical manpower shortage in the institution. Our members work every day. There are no staff due to Japan syndrome,” he stated.
