OAUTHC Resident Doctors threatens strike over unresolved welfare issues

The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, has threatened industrial action over unresolved welfare concerns affecting its members.

This is contained in a Communique issued after it’s Virtual Emergency General Meeting on Monday, in Ile-Ife to review the status of a 21-day Ultimatum earlier issued to management.

The Communique was jointly signed by the President and General Secretary of the ARF, Dr Jesunbo Martins and Dr Toyyeb Oladipo, respectively and sent to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The Communique expressed displeasure over management’s alleged refusal to receive official correspondence from the association, described the action as an attempt to undermine established channels of engagement.

It’s also observed that the development amounted to a trade dispute and reflected what it termed a hostile disposition towards resident doctors and their elected representatives.

The association further alleged that management has delayed the upgrading of 26 resident doctors, frustrated leave applications and exit procedures and excluded members from certain allowances.

The Communique accused management of withholding residential quarters previously occupied by members despite evicting occupants for renovations that they have not commenced.

The Congress decried unresolved welfare issues including demands for increased call food quota, suspension of identity card charges and rehabilitation of residential quarters.

The Association demanded immediate processing of pending upgrades and leave applications, withdrawal of directives linking identity cards to official request and equitable treatment of resident doctors.

The Communique further called for urgent renovation and reallocation of residential quarters and an increase in the call food quota to reflect prevailing economic realities.

The Association warned that failure to meet its demands before the expiration of the ultimatum on June 19 could result into a total industrial action, holding management responsible for consequences.