By DANJUMA JOSEPH, Lafia –
The Nasarawa State branch of National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), in public health facilities have withdrawn their services completely in compliance to the five days warning strike declared by the national body of the association.
Recalled that the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), last Wednesday, declared a five day warning strike following the federal government’s inability to address their demands.
NARD said issues that necessitated the strike includes poor infrastructure and manpower shortage in the health sector, non payment of Medical Residency Training Fund, non increment of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, as well as failure of state governments across the country to pay salary arrears of doctors.
Our correspondent, who visited Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital in Lafia, the state capital, observed that no resident doctors especially those on call were at their duty posts.
Some major units of the hospitals such as out patient, casualty and maternity which used to record large number of patients on daily basis were completely empty.
Dr Yakubu Adeleke Ademola, the State President National Association of Resident Doctors, was seen going round the hospital in company of other officials to ensure resident doctors stay away from their duty posts.
Dr. Ademola, who disclosed that doctors in public health facilities work under intense pressure due to poor welfare and inadequate personnel, however called on Nasarawa State Government to take urgent steps to address the issues to avoid further impasse.
In an interview, an 80-year old Baba Hassan Audu, said he had been at hospital to access treatment since morning but he was asked to go back.
“I have been suffering from tooth ache. I have an appointment with the doctor to receive medical attention but on reaching the hospital I was told the doctors have gone on strike. I cannot afford the medical bill at a private hospital” he said
On her part, Mrs Halima Tanko, who appealed for immediate end of the strike expressed worry that the conditions of her twin babies who were born few days before the strike might get worst as she had no means of accessing treatment in private hospitals.
“I gave birth to this set of twins few days back , I brought them to the hospital because they are having some health issues but there is no doctor to attend to them. I am appealing to government to listen to the demands of the doctors in our own interest.”
Our correspondent also observed that some private health facilities in the state capital and have continued to witness increased number of patients due to the ongoing strike.
