The Association Resident Doctors (ARD) at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) Awka, Anambra, has suspended it seven day warning strike to demand better working conditions.
This was contained in a statement signed by Dr Joy Okwumuo and Dr Chukwubuike Ifekudu President and Secretary respectively of ARD-COOUTH and made available in Awka on Saturday.
the residents doctors embarked on the warning strike on Thursday over unmet needs.
The statement instructed members to resume their duties effective 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, as the government had approved their demands.
“The decision to suspend the strike followed the approval for release of the Medical Residency Training Fund.
“And 100 per cent upward review of Consolidated Medical Salary Scale by Gov. Chukwuma Soludo by the end of September.
“Gov. Soludo also approved allowances for house officers, rural posting for previously skipped departments, accoutrement and specialist allowances from CONMESS 5 step 5 for resident doctors.
“The government also approved payment of accumulated arrears including the previously skipped approved 2024 hazard allowance arrears,” it said.
ARD-COOUTH reaffirmed its commitment to working with the hospital’s Chief Medical Director to implement approved decisions.
It also emphasised the urgent need to recruit resident doctors and house officers to meet medical college staffing standards and curb brain drain.
The association reiterated its call for the accreditation of the Family Medicine, Radiology and Anaesthesiology departments to enable members to sit for professional exams.
They expressed gratitude to Gov. Soludo, Head of Service, Commissioner for Health, COOUTH management, Nigerian Medical Association and National Association of Resident Doctors for their support.
