One of LUTH empty waiting areas
Chijioke Iremeka
There appears to be no respite in sight for patients seeking treatment at Federal Government-owned hospitals as the indefinite strike embarked on by the National Association of Resident Doctors to press home their demands continue despite several attempts to resolve the impasse.
NARD embarked on an indefinite strike on July 26, 2023, following the expiration of a two-week ultimatum it issued to the Federal Government.
Resident doctors begin indefinite strike today – Healthwise (punchng.com)
The doctors are demanding the implementation of the one-for-one replacement policy for healthcare workers; the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to discontinue the downgrading of the membership certificate issued by the West African Postgraduate Medical and Surgical Colleges; the immediate payment of all salary arrears; the implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure; a new hazard allowance; and the domestication of the Medical Residency Training Act; among others. to meet its demands.
They are also demanding the implementation of the one-for-one replacement policy for healthcare workers; the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to discontinue the downgrading of the membership certificate issued by the West African Postgraduate Medical and Surgical Colleges; the immediate payment of all salary arrears; the implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure; a new hazard allowance; and the domestication of the Medical Residency Training Act; among others.
A day after the strike commenced, medical services were noted to have been paralysed in government hospitals across the country.
It was observed that since the strike started consultants, dental doctors, nurses, and other health workers have been offering health services to cushion the effect of the industrial action.
Resident doctors’ strike grounds hospitals across states – Healthwise (punchng.com)
However, the combined efforts of these medical personnel, PUNCH Healthwise observed, were unable to address the health demands of patients.
During PUNCH Healthwise visit to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos, on Thursday, it was observed that resident doctors were still complying fully with the strike.
Only a few consultants and house officers were seen rendering skeletal services to patients brought into the emergency unit.
Our correspondent also observed that most of the departments that used to be a beehive of human activities had few medical staff, security guards and a sprinkle of visitors hanging around.
LUTH deserted hall way
A young man, Mr. Bola Ogundare, whose aunt had a stroke and was undergoing physiotherapy treatment, said medical services had reduced drastically due to the absence of resident doctors.
“The doctors normally go on ward rounds when they resume for calls in the morning to know how the patients are doing but this hasn’t been like that since the strike started. I wish we could leave this place as there is no difference between here and home. We can stay at home and relate with the consultants and physiotherapist,” he said.
Another relative of a patient that had undergone surgery, who identified himself as Jamiu, lamented the absence of doctors at the federal facility, noting that it is taking a dangerous toll on those with serious ailments on admission.
He said, “I made a payment since morning for my father’s surgery but we are still waiting for confirmation and arrival of the consultant. The lab result is what I am here to collect and I don’t know if the consultant will still conduct the operation today or not, looking at the time.”
“The doctors are not enough and the few available consultants are doing quite a lot and that is why they are not attending to new cases, especially non-emergency cases. My father is meant to undergo an appendectomy (surgery) and we had booked an appointment with a consultant. We are still waiting.”
A petty trader, Mrs. Grace Okpara, said she came to the hospital with her son for an eye check but did meet the department empty.
Entrance to a department under lock
“I came with my son an hour ago, but we were asked to go to the general hospital. He complained of eye pain in the night and had a fever. So, I decided to come with him but I was told to go to the general hospital,” she said
However, speaking with PUNCG Healthwise, a medical officer, who identified himself simply as Rotimi for fear of victimisation, was saddened about the strike, noting that it had led to preventable deaths.
He said, “There are skeletal services going on but then, the doctor’s strike is affecting a number of things. LUTH used to be busier than this, but many people who ought to be on admission were discharged and some opted to come from home. The nurses are available to help the senior doctors and house officers,” he said.
During a stop at the Accident Emergency Spillover section of the hospital, nurses were seen going about with patients’ files.
Speaking with PUNCH Healthwise, the President of NARD, LUTH chapter, Dr. Abiloye Kemi, said there is full compliance to the strike, adding that the doctor’s commitment was total and indefinite.
According to her, “We at NARD, LUTH chapter, are observing the strike as directed by our national body and we are 100 per cent compliant.
“And as it is on the side of the government, we have not seen any seriousness. Hopefully, when we get to that point where they would pay attention to our plea, then we can start reviewing the current state of things in the healthcare sector.”
Dr. Abiloye, who is also an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, said the Association is open for negotiation and has been advocating, lobbying and doing everything to ensure the issue is resolved.
“Our demands are not much and each time we go on strike, people think it is because of money but this time, we went on strike for something different. Though there is an aspect of it that has to do with money.
“For instance, the issue of one-on-one replacement of clinical staff was for the government to release the circular that states that once somebody leaves the system, you can immediately replace that person so that those available in the system would not be overworked.
“But I don’t know why it’s difficult for them to release such a circular. You and I are aware that people are leaving on a regular basis,” she said.
On his part, the Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, said though the resident doctors are on strike, the hospital is working but not at an optimal level.
One of LUTH’s busiest walkways now scanty
The professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery noted that the facility has been attending to the medical needs of patients with the help of consultants, house officers and nurses.
“The accident and emergency units are working but not at an optimal level. We can’t shut it down. We try to manage the situation and I am sure the issues would soon be resolved.”
PUNCH Healthwise reported that NARD recently gave conditions, which if met, would bring an end to the industrial action.
Resident doctors list conditions to suspend strike, nationwide protest – Healthwise (punchng.com)
The National President of NARD, Dr. Emeka Orji, in an interview with our correspondent, listed the release of the circular for one-for-one replacement of clinical staff, and the payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund as minimum conditions to call off its indefinite strike.
He said though the planned nationwide protest was suspended, the association was giving the Federal Government 72 hours to meet some of its urgent demands to call off its strike.
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