Yemi Obafemi
The Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, members at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) Ondo chapter, has begin 14-day warning strike over non- payment of salaries.
The body is demanding full payment of the arrears of salaries owed to new members and payment of the February 2024 palliative house officers from the government.
The doctors also pledged to cease activities until the government fulfill their demands.
Speaking to reporters during the peaceful protest, the President of UNIMEDTH ARD, Dr. John Matthew revealed that the government is owing the newly recruited members at the teaching hospital.
He said the Japa syndrome has led to staff shortage and also the inability of the government to disburse February Hazard Allowance despite assurances from the state government to settle two months and non-payment of palliative to House Officers since February.
He revealed that there were only 26 members of ARD in the hospital, as against 150 a few months ago.
He said: “We demand full payment of the arrears of salaries owed to our members and payment of the February 2024 palliative to our house officers.
“Management should pay a February hazard allowance to our members and urgently address the severe clinical manpower shortage in the institution. Our members work every day. There are no staff due to Japa syndrome”.
