29th April, 2024
By Okafor Ofiebor
Resident Doctors at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, (DELSUTH), Friday, commenced a one-week warning strike, over alleged government’s insensitivity to issues affecting the provision of optimal patient care and training of resident doctors.
A statement signed by Harrison Adja, President, Maurice Oghenekaro, General Secretary, and Erhire Clinton Umukoro, Public Relations Officer, said the decision was reached by the ARD DELSUTH congress, adding that the industrial action commenced from 8 am on Friday, April 26, 2024.
Continuing, the Association said that “the decision follows numerous efforts to enhance the fulfillment of the MORE AGENDA with the requirements of the Teaching Hospital and the imperative to restore its former prestige.”
Other issues raised include: deteriorating infrastructure and outdated and dysfunctional equipment essential for the diagnosis and treatment of various medical conditions.
“Despite recent renovations, the ongoing decay of the hospital is glaringly evident.
“The elevator has never functioned, plumbing remains as problematic as it was before the refurbishment, fixtures are falling apart, and the air conditioning units and fans have all malfunctioned. Working within the hospital has become an extremely distressing experience due to these issues.”
Some of the outdated equipment, they said include: the Computer Tomography Scan machine (CT Scan), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan machine, Mammography machine, Endoscopy machine, Orthopaedic equipment, Anaesthetic machine, Ventilators, Multiparameters monitors, and Electroencephalography machine, among others.
ARD, DELSUTH also said the inadequate power supply and escalating costs of electricity from Benin Electricity Distribution Company,BEDC, supplied to the hospital, compounded by insufficient financial support from the state Government was a big issue to them.
On other reasons for the strike, they said: “Malfunctioning transformers necessitate replacement as soon as possible.
“Urgent requirement to augment the hospital’s funding for electricity provision and equipment maintenance.”
They continued: “Finalization of street lighting projects abandoned within the hospital premises and the provision of patrol vans to security personnel.
“The issue of brain drain (JAPA) and the imperative to recruit specialists(Consultant, Residents, Nurses including other supporting staff) and increase the number of residents across various specialties.
“Accreditation and re-accreditation of hospital departments.
“Staff welfare aligned with the hospital’s founding decree. Viz; Revised CONMESS, Advanced wage award etc.
“Housing facilities, and the completion of the housing construction projects that were previously approved, initiated, but now left unfinished/abandoned.”
Meanwhile, ARD DELSUTH said that they are willing to make sacrifices in order to deliver optimal patient care.
“Nevertheless, we urge all concerned parties to impress upon the state government the importance of adequately funding the highest referral center in Delta State,” the statement concluded.
Ends