The Medical and Dental Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho chapter on monday, commenced industrial action over unpaid arrears and poor condition of service
Other unions under the umbrella of the Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU have also dropped their tools citing various degrees of displeasure.
Meanwhile, MDCAN in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Dr Ayobami Alabi and Secretary, Dr Taiwo Alatishe, the doctors said the decision was based on congress resolution and expiration of ultimatum.
The MDCAN said the decision was taken after they have critically observed the situation with no definite assurance that the issue would soon be resolved partly or wholly.
The association said effort was to safeguard the hospital from total collapse and to reposition the hospital for better training, research, and services that the hospital is established to subserve.
It declared as unacceptable the continued non-payment of salaries of some of their members recently employed in the hospital with no sight in view when they would get their first salary.
Among other problems listed were shortage of manpower across the different cadres of doctors including consultants as well as severe decadence of infrastructure, equipment and facilities within the hospital.
“The congress hereby resolves by this press release to intimate the public of the notice of withdrawal of our services beginning from 08:00 a.m on Monday May 8, following expiration of our ultimatum.
“This is done to safeguard the hospital from total collapse and to reposition the hospital for better training, research, and services that the hospital is established to subserve,” it said.
Similarly, the association said the time to save the hospital from the hydra headed problems bedeviling it was now.
It listed poor condition of service including lack of basic facilities like offices for consultants in the hospital and non-response from management despite years of appeals.
“Delay and difficulty in payment of 2016 to 2017 salary arrears by the management and persistent failure of the management.
“The board of the hospital fail to respond appropriately and satisfactorily to all these challenges over the years despite our various engagement, tolerance and show of understanding,” it said.
The MDCAN observed severe shortage of manpower across the different cadres of doctors including consultants (specialist across different fields), resident doctors (specialists in training) and house officers.
It said that severe decadence of infrastructure, equipment, and facilities within the hospital was making the hospital operate below the optimal standard expected of a teaching hospital.
The association frowned at continued non-payment of salaries of some of their members recently employed in the hospital with no sight in view when they would get their first salary.
“This treatment is anti-labour. It is also considered inhumane with the attending psychological and emotional trauma.
Every labourer deserves his or her wages.
“The prescribed ratio of doctors expected to function in tertiary hospital is already distorted and highly eroded by this shortfall undermining quality training and service.
“The persistent inability of hospital management to employ doctors and other staff hinged on excuse of no fund, has led to failure in expanding the scope of training and services,” it said.
The MDCAN said it was daily becoming impracticable for the hospital management to provide basic amenities for effective service delivery.
It, therefore, appealed to the public, traditional rulers, critical stakeholders and the state government to come to the rescue of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, to reposition her for better output.
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