By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja (FTHL) chapter has petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister Of Health, Prof. Ali Pate to urgently address facility decadence and inhuman treatment at the Hospital.
The Association which has carried out three protests in the last one week urged the Federal Government to launch an investigation into the alleged misdemeanors of the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr Olatunde Alabi led administration to avoid total collapse of the Hospital.
Speaking during another peaceful protest at the premises of the Hospital at the weekend, Dr Olushola Baoku, immediate past Chairman of the Association revealed that the hospital is facing imminent collapse.
He revealed that until recently, the Teaching Hospital had 315 doctors but regretted that presently, it can only boast of 43 doctors as most of them have abandoned the Tertiary Health Institution as a result of poor working conditions.
“We have chosen to remain in this country to serve our father’s land but some people who believe they are above the law are making things worse and more difficult for us and the hospital”, he said.
Dr Baoku added that many of the doctors in the employment of the Hospital were on a “devilish contract” where the doctors have to renew their contract every two months with the management.
He described the arrangement as ridiculous in a country that is spending much in the Health sector saying, “This category of doctors have no pension, no promotion, no hazard allowance, no minimum wage award and they work in a harsh environment where facilities in the hospital are not functioning.”
“We are aware that the Federal Government through the Ministry of Health has directed the Management of the Hospital to use its Internally Generated Revenue to clear all outstanding arrears.
“We are shocked to hear that up till now, this hospital is owing humongous amount due for the workers. Some of our doctors in this hospital in the last five years have been renewing their contracts instead of full engagement”, he added.
Baoku said since 2012 the hospital has not employed a single Doctor or Health worker and as a result, the hospital is facing acute shortage of manpower in all units and sections.
“In the last one week this is the third protest Resident Doctors in Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja are staging. This hospital has been turned into a slave camp by the Dr Olatunde Alabi led administration.
“We have written 14 petitions to the Minister of Health, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate; to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume and the Head of Service of the Federation (HoSF), Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack.
