By Mike Adeyemi
As the rest of the world grapples with the second wave of the Covid – 19, hundreds of patients have been left unattended to at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital as Doctors under the aegis of the National Association of Residents Doctors (NARD) says there is no going back until their demands are met, National Pilot learnt.
Some patients seeking medical services at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) were stranded Wednesday following a strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors, which paralysed activities at the hospital.
Our reporter, who visited the hospital, observed few patients at the Consultant Outpatient Department (COPD) and General Practice Clinic (GPC) that was usually overcrowded by patients waiting to see doctors.
Some of the patients, who spoke to our reporter, lamented that there was no doctor to attend to them.
One of the patients, Saka Yusuf, who brought his child for treatment, said he spent several hours waiting for doctors but to no avail.
Segun Adewumi, a 45-year-old man, who brought his son for checkup said he was going back home after fruitless waiting.
“Most of us depend on government hospitals and don’t have money to travel abroad like politicians. So, the government should do everything possible to save the masses from dying,” another patient, Emmanuel Chuks, appeals.
A 50 years Pastor, Ojo Paul who brought his son from Saki lamented that his son who is slated for surgery has been placed on drugs rather instead of surgical operation.
” Am here because of my son who was involved in car crash and we were transfered from Saki to Ogbomosho. At Ogbomosho hospital, they complained of lack of equipment and personnel. On that note we had to come to UITH, Ilorin.
“He was placed on oxygen from Ogbomosho down here and was stable when we got here.. He had famous dislocation and he was said to under surgery. The strike embarked up on by the Doctors has affected the require attention on him.
“My son Ojo Favour, 22 is a medical students from Russian University. He just came home(Saki) to invite us to his graduation slated for October. He had a car accident alongside his friend.
” The few available Doctors are just coming to prescribed drugs. I was told that if they do the operation, there won’t be anybody to monitor him. The surgical operation has not been done, until they call of the strike, ” he lamented.
Some of the patients who spoke with our medium say the government should do what is necessary so that the Doctors can resume work fully.
“I advise the government to be serious with the Doctors. I am here and I see how it is, its not easy. Government should take the lives of its people very seriously,” said Joshua Olalekan, Patient.
However, scores of patients says the strike could aggravate their pains and health conditions as medics stopped working, adding that they have to wait for hours to see the few available Doctor.
“Instead of the government to maintain and increase the facilities in the hospital and pay the Doctors to do their job, they prefer to go abroad for treatment,” said Kareem Olokoba, a patient.
“I think the position of Doctors in this country is very important, so whatever they are demanding to improve their services towards patients, the government should meet such demands,” Grace David, another patient appeal.
Speaking on the strike, the president, UITH Association of Resident Doctors, Dr. Badmus Funsho Habib, said the strike has recorded 100 per cent compliance by doctors.
He said though consultants, nurses, pharmacists, who are not members of the association, are on ground, patients would always feel the impact when resident doctors, who make about 65 per cent of the workforce, withdrew their services.
“The strike has been on and it has been observed across all chapters in the country. It is unfortunate where we find ourselves in Nigeria. We actually think the issue is not new and we had thought Federal Government will just do something to ameliorate the suffering of Nigerians.
“Going on strike is something difficult for us, but when we have exhausted all means of crisis resolutions, be it advocacy, negotiations, signing of MoU, but reneged by the government hence we have no option than to go on strike,” Badmus said.
He added that some of his members at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital are owned about six months’ salary under the disguise of moving the affected Doctors to IPA platform.
“The Federal Government has never showed any sense of responsibility over the plight of Doctors. A responsible government would have shown sense of remorse, but in the case of Nigerian government what they did was a threat of issuing ultimatum to us to go back to work.
“They also threatened no work no pay. Running away from a problem is actually not the solution. This government hasn’t be responsible at all,” the NARS boss said.
However, the Federal Government has urged the members and leadership of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to end their strike and come to terms with the FG through dialogue.
This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Health, Dr Olurunnimbe Mamora at the opening ceremony of the 2021 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), FCT chapter, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The Minister added that the FG opening discussions with NARD would enable Nigerians also have access to healthcare during these times.
“I encourage you to ensure industrial peace in the health sector so that citizens can reap maximum benefits from your efforts.
“In saying this, there cannot be a better time and opportunity for me to appeal to doctors who are currently on strike.
“My appeal is that they return to the negotiating table so that whatever outstanding issues can be sorted out. That is my passionate appeal to all our colleagues.
“Even in times of war, the combatants at the end of the day come to the roundtable for amicable resolution of issues. That is my appeal to our colleagues all over the country who are currently engaged in the strike for the benefit of our people,” he added.
