LINGERING DOCTORS STRIKE; THE HEIGHT OF INSENSITIVITY OF ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNMENT

It is no news that Consultants and Resident doctors in Anambra State owned teaching hospital, COOUTH have been on strike for about a month now with no real efforts on the part of the Government to resolve the industrial disharmony.

The unfolding of this ugly development dated back to December 2018 when the Doctors issued a 21-day ultimatum to the State Government through the Hospital's Management. The ultimatum was substantially about the need for improved funding of the State Teaching Hospital that would enable provision of adequate facilities for enhanced health care delivery, Academics, Training and Research while establishing proper remuneration for health workers.

It is on record that doctors in the state owned teaching hospital earn the poorest not only in Nigeria but the whole West Africa, being paid about 40% of what their counterparts earn. To make matters worse, these essential workers have not seen any promotion/benefits/welfare packages for over 7 years of service. The Doctors in the State Teaching Hospital are the worst hit.

On the other hand, Patients have been suffering untold hardships in the State Hospitals due to dearth of diagnostic equipments, lack of enough and qualified manpower, non-motivation of the few remaining Staff; all amidst rising service charges, inflating hospital bills and other inconveniences.

Upon the expiry of the ultimatum, Doctors proceeded on warning Strike in January 2019 which was cut short after the State Government agreed to implement better funding and address other issues of the Hospitals and Health workers by April 2019.

Unfortunately, we are now in June 2019 and still awaiting fulfillment of the promises/agreements 2 months later. Sequel to this, Doctors have embarked on an indefinite strike which is now approaching a month. The Teaching hospital is now a ghost of itself as services are completely grounded and beds empty.

For negotiations, the Government only offered to redress the dismal situation when implementing the new minimum wage, maybe in a year's time. Funny enough, one cannot help but wonder the link between better funding of institutions as essential as Hospitals and paying of Minimum wage. Some of the health workers never got the old minimum wage, and talk more, the new one is supposedly on the way.

The State's only Teaching Hospital, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) Awka has not been able to employ and retain experienced and highly qualified doctors since inception due to the poor working condition and welfare package. The brain drain has generated much flux, instability and chaos among the few overwhelmed remnant workforce thus undermining medical service delivery. Bitterly still, majority of the remaining workforce are also on their way out in frustration.

How appalling can it get that poor patients of these Hospitals have become stranded and on verge of perishing while the State Government fold its hands and watch? It is quite sad and disappointing that Anambra that prides as the light of the nation with the famous Alert Governor has not been able to resolve this minor health sectoral challenge.

We solemnly appeal to His Excellency, Governor Obiano, Akpokuedike Global, to come to the aid of the helpless patients, of the common man, of the people of Anambra and address this conflict once and for all, so that health workers would go back to their indispensable services.

Thank you.

Argh...

Theote author=emmaliver post=79143608]LINGERING DOCTORS STRIKE; THE HEIGHT OF INSENSITIVITY OF ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNMENT

It is no news that Consultants and Resident doctors in Anambra State owned teaching hospital, COOUTH have been on strike for about a month now with no real efforts on the part of the Government to resolve the industrial disharmony.

The unfolding of this ugly development dated back to December 2018 when the Doctors issued a 21-day ultimatum to the State Government through the Hospital's Management. The ultimatum was substantially about the need for improved funding of the State Teaching Hospital that would enable provision of adequate facilities for enhanced health care delivery, Academics, Training and Research while establishing proper remuneration for health workers.

It is on record that doctors in the state owned teaching hospital earn the poorest not only in Nigeria but the whole West Africa, being paid about 40% of what their counterparts earn. To make matters worse, these essential workers have not seen any promotion/benefits/welfare packages for over 7 years of service. The Doctors in the State Teaching Hospital are the worst hit.

On the other hand, Patients have been suffering untold hardships in the State Hospitals due to dearth of diagnostic equipments, lack of enough and qualified manpower, non-motivation of the few remaining Staff; all amidst rising service charges, inflating hospital bills and other inconveniences.

Upon the expiry of the ultimatum, Doctors proceeded on warning Strike in January 2019 which was cut short after the State Government agreed to implement better funding and address other issues of the Hospitals and Health workers by April 2019.

Unfortunately, we are now in June 2019 and still awaiting fulfillment of the promises/agreements 2 months later. Sequel to this, Doctors have embarked on an indefinite strike which is now approaching a month. The Teaching hospital is now a ghost of itself as services are completely grounded and beds empty.

For negotiations, the Government only offered to redress the dismal situation when implementing the new minimum wage, maybe in a year's time. Funny enough, one cannot help but wonder the link between better funding of institutions as essential as Hospitals and paying of Minimum wage. Some of the health workers never got the old minimum wage, and talk more, the new one is supposedly on the way.

The State's only Teaching Hospital, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) Awka has not been able to employ and retain experienced and highly qualified doctors since inception due to the poor working condition and welfare package. The brain drain has generated much flux, instability and chaos among the few overwhelmed remnant workforce thus undermining medical service delivery. Bitterly still, majority of the remaining workforce are also on their way out in frustration.

How appalling can it get that poor patients of these Hospitals have become stranded and on verge of perishing while the State Government fold its hands and watch? It is quite sad and disappointing that Anambra that prides as the light of the nation with the famous Alert Governor has not been able to resolve this minor health sectoral challenge.

We solemnly appeal to His Excellency, Governor Obiano, Akpokuedike Global, to come to the aid of the helpless patients, of the common man, of the people of Anambra and address this conflict once and for all, so that health workers would go back to their indispensable services.

Thank you.[/quote]









This is a pathetic situation. It is true that Anambra state doctors are the least paid in the whole country. This is a smear on the reputation and achievements of the present goverment. The government need to address this shameful situation urgently.

This is my state but I wont hesitate to say ''pox on that foolish governor''

I have never practised in my state since I qualified there 7 yrs ago. This is why.

Bastard