The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, has issued a warning that they will embark on an indefinite strike if electricity is not restored to their residential quarters.
This decision was reached during an emergency meeting, where members expressed frustration over the prolonged blackout affecting their living quarters.
While the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) reconnected UCH to the power grid on February 12 after over 100 days of outage, the doctors noted that their residences remained without electricity.
In a communiqué signed by ARD President Gboyega Ajibola and General Secretary Uthman Adedeji, the doctors emphasized that their prepaid meters contained electricity units worth hundreds of thousands of naira, yet power was still unavailable in their quarters, according to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria.
The doctors stated that an emergency congress was convened after all previous efforts to engage with UCH management had failed.
They issued a firm demand for power restoration to all residential areas, including East Gate Road and Circular Road around the College of Medicine, no later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday.
âIf electricity is not restored by the deadline, the congress will initiate a total and indefinite strike. We also support the unbundling of electrical power blocs within the hospital to ensure better management,â the communiquĂ© stated.
The association also insisted that ARD representatives be involved in all high-level discussions concerning power supply issues in UCH.
Furthermore, they resolved to send a formal letter to the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Jesse Otegbayo, outlining the true state of the power situation, while keeping other relevant stakeholders informed.
The resident doctors also called on the CMD to expedite the payment of the 75% accoutrement allowance for 2024.
Additionally, they urged the management to prioritize their welfare, acknowledging the sacrifices made by members during the 100-day blackout. They also requested the continuous provision of ‘call food’ for doctors on duty.
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