Resident doctors in Oyo state have joined the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria in its indefinite nationwide strike which commenced this Monday.
The resident doctors in state-run hospitals began an indefinite strike in the early hours of today to demand a pay rise, better welfare, and adequate facilities.
Oyo Affairs correspondent who monitored the situation at the University College Hospital, UCH, and Adeoyo Specialist Hospital in Ibadan, reports that many patients in Oyo state may experience difficulty in receiving treatments as a result of the action of the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria to fight for their demands.
According to our correspondent, the decision of NARD to begin industrial action came to the fore following the expiration of the ultimatums earlier issued to the Government to meet their demands.
Speaking with Oyo Affairs correspondent, the president, Association of Resident Doctors, UCH, Ibadan, Doctor Adedayo Williams who spoke on behalf of all resident doctors in Oyo state, noted that the strike became necessary as a result of the failure of the federal and state governments to take the welfare of the resident doctors seriously, especially default in the payment of their Covid-19 hazard allowances.
Doctor Williams who maintained that due to poor remuneration and nonchalant attitude of the government to risk management, many residents doctors have lost their lives in the battle against the spread of the coronavirus.
He, however, appealed to patients under the watch of the resident doctors in Oyo state to bear with them in the struggle.
As at the time of filing this report, resident doctors in Oyo state have shunned all official duties.