Resident doctors strike in Benue unnecessary- CMD, Hwande

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

The Chief Medical Director(CMD), Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, Stephen Hwande, has urged the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), BSUTH branch, to call off their  21 days warning strike, saying the action is unnecessary and uncalled for.

He reminded them of  their agreement with the state government and urging them to remember the magnanimity of governor Hyacinth Alia who recently recently released over N900,000,000 to clear their outstanding arrears.

Addressing  journalists in his office in Makurdi, Hwande noted that both the hospital management and the Benue State Government remain committed to maintaining peace and cooperation in the health sector.

Reacting  to the ongoing strike by the Association of Resident Doctors ARD, BSUTH Branch noted that the strike has disrupted some services but assured the public that key units at the hospital like the Accident and Emergency Unit, General Outpatient Department, and the VIP SMART Clinic remain fully operational. 

He explained that medical and other essential services at the hospital  remain available despite ongoing strike by Resident Doctors.

The Chief Medical Director said the hospital in the interim has engaged services of Medical Officers and consultants to address the staffing shortage caused by the strike to ensure continued service delivery to the public. 

 “Management of the hospital is working with the state government to address the demands of the Resident Doctors and find a resolution to the matter, the CMD described the decision by the Doctors to embark on an indefinite strike as hasty and unnecessary. 

“Government is already engaging with the Doctors to address the issues that led to the strike action, saying the process of paying the Residency Training Fund has commenced and urged the Doctors to suspend the strike in the interest of the public”, he said. 

He acknowledged efforts by governor Hyacinth Alia for what he was doing in the health sector particularly the releases of over eight hundred million Naira for payment of all outstanding arrears including death benefits for staff of the hospital and commended him for implementing the new consolidated salary structure for other Medical Doctors and health workers in the state.

The Association of Resident Doctors Benue State University Teaching Hospital branch had Monday commenced an infinite strike over issues relating to the two thousand and twenty five Medical Residency Training Fund and other unresolved demands.