DELSUTH doctors threaten indefinite strike over rotting facilities, poor allowances

By Chioma Obinna

The industrial crisis rocking the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, DELSUTH, on Friday deepened as doctors under the aegis of the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria, MDCAN, warned of an impending indefinite strike over what they described as deteriorating hospital conditions, unpaid professional allowances and alleged intimidation of union leaders.

The association, which commenced a one-week warning strike on May 18, said the industrial action was aimed at compelling the Delta State Government to implement the Revised Professional Allowances currently enjoyed by doctors in federal health institutions and urgently address the “poor state” of the hospital.

But beyond the welfare dispute, the doctors also accused hospital authorities of attempting to suppress growing concerns over the condition of the institution through intimidation and media management tactics rather than addressing underlying problems.

In a press statement jointly signed by the Chairmen, Dr. Abolodje Efe and Secretary, Dr. Nwajei Anita after an Emergency General Meeting, EGM, MDCAN said the response of the Ministry and hospital management to the doctors’ demands had included what it described as coercive measures targeted at the union leadership.

According to the association, its chairman was subjected to “a Facebook blackmail attempt,” issued a query letter and dragged before an investigative panel over an unsigned/unattributed Facebook post.

The association described the actions as victimisation and warned that continued intimidation of its leadership could worsen the tense situation within the hospital.

“MDCAN DELSUTH reiterates its call for an immediate end to the victimisation of the Chairman,” they stated.

The association warned that failure to urgently address the issues raised could trigger a total and indefinite strike capable of paralysing healthcare delivery within the institution.

The doctors also alleged attempts to prevent independent assessment of the hospital’s condition after Channels Television was invited by the association for what it described as a fact-finding mission to the hospital but was allegedly denied access by the management.

According to MDCAN, shortly after the failed visit, the hospital management reportedly invited another media organisation while hurried clean-up and repair activities allegedly commenced across parts of the facility.

The association claimed that on May 22, observers noticed ongoing work from the hospital gate to wards and corridors, allegedly aimed at presenting a more favourable image of the hospital ahead of a planned media visit.

“A staff member informed the Chairman that a media house was expected to visit, while the Acting Chief Medical Director also acknowledged that a media crew was coming,” the statement said.

“Rather than addressing the concerns raised by MDCAN, there appears to be an attempt to suppress the truth and mislead the public about the actual state of the hospital.”

At the centre of the dispute are allegations of worsening infrastructure decay, non-functional equipment and deteriorating welfare conditions, which doctors say are fueling  exodus of specialists from the institution.

MDCAN alleged that several doctors have continued to leave DELSUTH for neighbouring federal institutions including the National Orthopaedic Hospital and the Federal Medical Centre due to the failure to implement the Revised Professional Allowances approved by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, NSIWC.

According to the association, the growing brain drain is placing enormous pressure on the few doctors left within the system and threatening healthcare delivery.

“Doctors are leaving in droves because welfare conditions are no longer sustainable,” the association stated.

The doctors warned that if urgent intervention is not made by the Delta State Government, the looming indefinite strike could cripple clinical services, disrupt residency training programmes and destabilise the medical school programme linked to the teaching hospital.

“There is an anticipated total and indefinite strike that could paralyse clinical activities, residency training and medical school programmes if these issues are not addressed urgently,” MDCAN warned.

The association urged the Delta State Government to immediately intervene to prevent what it described as a looming healthcare crisis at the state-owned tertiary hospital.

They stressed that the warning strike, which began on May 18, is expected to continue through the week as uncertainty grows over possible negotiations between the doctors, hospital management, and state authorities.

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المصدر: Vanguard (NG)