InfoStride News reports that the Association of Resident Doctors of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital (ARD-ESUTH) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Enugu State Government, urging increased doctor employment and improved security measures.
This ultimatum was conveyed in a communique following the Emergency General Meeting (EGM) held at ESUT Teaching Hospital on Saturday, November 18, 2023. The joint signatories of the communique were the President of ARD-ESUT, Dr Chukwunonso Ofonere, and its Secretary-General, Dr Ikemefuna Nnamani.
The statement urgently calls upon the management of ESUTH Teaching Hospital and the Enugu State Government to declare a state of emergency in the employment of doctors within the hospital. Expressing dissatisfaction with the absence of any advertising of positions for Medical Officers and Resident Doctors despite the government’s commitment 120 days ago, the EGM emphasized the need for immediate action. To this end, they extended the initial 14-day ultimatum by an additional 14 days, set to conclude on December 1, 2023.
Outlined Demands:
1. Declaration of a state of emergency in doctor employment, with urgent approval for the recruitment of medical officers, resident doctors, and House Officers. The focus should be on key departments such as Accident and Emergency, Surgery, Internal Medicine, Paediatrics, Obstetrics, and Gynaecology.
2. Implementation of safety policies within one week to protect hospital workers from physical attacks and kidnapping, as pledged by the Chief Medical Director (CMD).
3. Immediate implementation of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) in line with other states. The communique includes a list of eligible doctors and the associated financial implications.
The EGM emphasized that failure to meet these demands within the stipulated timeframe would jeopardize industrial harmony.
As InfoStride News covers this development, the ARD-ESUTH’s call for urgent attention to the employment of doctors and enhancement of security measures highlights the critical issues faced by healthcare professionals in Enugu State. The 28-day ultimatum underscores the urgency of addressing these concerns to maintain industrial harmony within the healthcare sector.
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