General Hospitals Offer Skeletal Services as Doctors’ Strike Bites Hard

Hospitals Offer Skeletal Services as Doctors’ Strike Bites Hard
Patients in General hospitals are bearing the brunt of the ongoing seven-day warning strike by the Association of Resident Doctors, with most hospitals running skeletal services.

Striking Doctors

The strike, which began on 8 September, is scheduled to last until 15 September. ARD-FCT President Dr. George Egbong said the action followed years of unresolved grievances, including lack of manpower, unpaid salaries, unexplained deductions, poor welfare, and the absence of new recruitment since 2011.

A tour of major hospitals by OUR Reporters revealed that while emergency and antenatal services remain operational, outpatient departments are largely deserted.

READ ALSO:Bauchi Uncovers Over 100 Ghost Workers in Health Sector

Maitama and Asokoro Hospitals Deserted
At Maitama and Asokoro District Hospitals, most wards have been shut, and new patient admissions suspended. Consultants, nurses, and a few medical officers are attending to emergencies only.

A visit to the Maitama Hospital for antenatal care, was unaffected by the strike.

At the Asaba general Hospital, the atmosphere was unusually quiet. A staff member revealed that all patients were discharged before the strike began.

UBTH Benin Maintained Limited Operations
Unlike the near-empty wards in the city center, FMC Hospital’s maintained partial operations. Departments such as antenatal registration and laboratory services continued to function, offering some relief to residents.

Next Steps
The resident doctors have vowed to escalate the action into an indefinite strike if their demands are not met after the review on 15 September.

Observers warn that a prolonged shutdown could cripple healthcare delivery across the Nation.