From Joseph Uchenna, in Makurdi
The Chief Medical Director (CMD), Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, Dr. Terungwa Stephen Hwande, has frowned at 21 day warning strike embarked upon by the Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, BSUTH saying the action is unnecessary and uncalled
He reminded them of their agreement with the state government, urging them to remember the magnanimity of Governor Hyacinth Alia who recently recently released over N900,000,000 to clear their outstanding arrears, urging them to call off .
Speaking with journalists in his office in Makurdi, Dr. Hwande noted that both the hospital management and the Benue State Government remain committed to maintaining peace and cooperation in the health sector.
While reacting to the ongoing strike by the Association of Resident Doctors ARD, BSUTH Branch, he 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.
Hwande explained that medical and other essential services at the hospital remain available despite ongoing strike by the Resident Doctors.
The CMD 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.
He said, “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 is 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.
It should be noted that the Association of Resident Doctors Benue State University Teaching Hospital branch had on Monday commenced an infinite strike over issues relating to two thousand and twenty five Medical Residency Training Fund and other unresolved issues.
