The Association of Resident Doctors at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, has announced plans to commence an indefinite strike if electricity is not restored to the hospital’s residential areas. This decision was communicated in a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting.
While the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) reconnected power to UCH on February 12 following a 100-day outage, the residential areas remain without electricity. The communiqué, signed by the chapter’s president, Gboyega Ajibola, and general secretary, Uthman Adedeji, highlighted that these areas have prepaid meters with substantial credit balances.
The resident doctors stated that all available avenues to engage with UCH management had been exhausted before convening the emergency congress. The congress demanded that power be restored to all residential areas, including East Gate Road and Circular Road near the College of Medicine, by 4:00 p.m. on Monday.
“Failure to restore the areas requested will result in the congress of the chapter initiating a total and indefinite strike. The congress supports accelerating the unbundling process of Electrical power blocs in the hospital to promote harmony. However, the leadership of ARD must be included in all delegations for critical discussions, meetings, or summons by higher authorities concerning power supply in UCH,” the communiqué read.
The doctors also resolved to send a strongly worded letter to the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Jesse Otegbayo, detailing the power situation and copying relevant stakeholders. Additionally, they urged the CMD to expedite the payment of the 75 per cent accoutrement allowance for 2024 and prioritize the welfare of resident doctors.
“We call for the sustained modality of ‘call food’ provision to resident doctors on call,” they added, emphasizing the need for continued support for doctors working extended hours.
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