Resident doctors’ strike records partial compliance in Anambra

The indefinite nationwide strike embarked upon by National Association of Resident Doctors witnessed partial compliance in some cities in Anambra State. Doctors working in Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Awka, the state capital, were attending to patients. When our correspondent visited the hospital, patients were seen receiving medical attention while others were waiting for their […]

The indefinite nationwide strike embarked upon by National Association of Resident Doctors witnessed partial compliance in some cities in Anambra State.

Doctors working in Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Awka, the state capital, were attending to patients.

When our correspondent visited the hospital, patients were seen receiving medical attention while others were waiting for their turns to see their doctors at the Out Patient Department.

A nurse attached to one of the consulting rooms, who preferred anonymity, said the hospital was not observing the strike.

“As you can see, the doctors are in the consultation rooms attending to patients,” she said.

Reacting, the Chief Medical Director of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Basil Nwankwo, said the state has peculiar issues which they are handling, saying “that is the reason why we are not joining the strike.”

Daily Trust however learnt that the resident doctors at the General Hospital in Onitsha, the commercial city of the state, did not report for duty. 

Though patients were seen at the Out Patient Department, no doctor was on seat to attend to them.

A petty trader, Mr. Enyinna Ufoma said he was in the hospital as early as 10am with his sick mother only to be told that doctors were on strike.

He expressed displeasure over the strike, saying the ugly development would force them to patronise private hospitals whose high cost many of them could not afford.

Meanwhile, medical services were grounded at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi. At the Emergency and Accident section of the hospital, there were no doctors on ground to attend to patients, while those on admission at the medical wards were abandoned as no doctor came to attend to them.

At the Consultation Section, all the consulting rooms of the doctors were shut.

The doctors embarked on the strike over their demands on the Federal Government for integration into the payroll system; poor salary, delays in payment of their salaries; and official accommodation among others.