Healthcare Disruption Looms as FMC Umuahia Doctors Join Strike

President, Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), FMC Umuahia, Dr. Godwin Alaede.

The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia, has announced its decision to join the nationwide indefinite strike declared by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Monday.
The President of the association, Dr. Godwin Alaede, made the disclosure on Friday while briefing journalists in Umuahia.
He stated that members of the association had already been mobilised to comply fully with the directive of the national body, with the strike scheduled to commence on Monday, January 12.
According to Alaede, the decision followed an extraordinary general meeting held on Thursday, during which members reviewed the resolution of NARD and the Federal Government’s failure to honour the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) previously reached with the association.
He explained that the national body was compelled to take the drastic step due to the Federal Government’s persistent inability to address the legitimate demands of resident doctors across the country.
“Despite extensive negotiations and the signing of several memoranda of understanding, our concerns have remained largely unaddressed, leaving us with no alternative but to withdraw our services,” Alaede said.
He said that the action was not taken lightly, noting that the doctors were mindful of the inconvenience the strike could cause members of the public.
“We deeply regret any hardship this action may impose on patients and their families. However, we are forced to take this step in protest against the prolonged neglect of the welfare of resident doctors and the continued deterioration of medical practice in Nigeria, particularly in terms of manpower and infrastructure,” he added.
Alaede outlined several unresolved issues that informed the strike, including the immediate and unconditional reinstatement of five doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, in line with the recommendations of a duly constituted investigative committee.
Other demands, he said, include the immediate transmission of compiled promotional arrears owed to resident doctors in several institutions to the Budget Office and the Federal Ministry of Finance for prompt processing and payment.
He also listed the full implementation of the approved professional allowance table, as well as the immediate transmission of outstanding salary arrears owed to resident doctors to the Federal Ministry of Finance for urgent processing and settlement.
“We remain open to dialogue and are willing to reconsider our position if the government demonstrates genuine commitment and takes concrete steps towards addressing these issues,” Alaede said.
The ARD president expressed appreciation to the Medical Director of FMC Umuahia, Prof. Azubuike Onyebuchi, as well as sister associations within the institution, for their support and solidarity.
He further disclosed that resident doctors in all 91 tertiary health institutions across the country had been directed to withdraw their services completely and indefinitely in compliance with the national directive.