Resident doctors at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) in Ondo State have gone on strike to protest unpaid salaries and challenging working conditions. On Monday, members of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) organized a peaceful protest at the hospital, demanding immediate action to address these issues.
The doctors are calling for the correction of salary discrepancies, the introduction of the new minimum wage scale, and the payment of overdue hazard allowances. They are also requesting better accommodation for resident doctors on hospital grounds and the recruitment of additional doctors to ease the burden on existing staff.
ARD President Olaogbe Kehinde explained that the doctors could no longer continue working under the current conditions, as many of them have not been paid for months. He pointed out that several doctors had already left or resigned due to the worsening situation.
Despite the strike, the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Dr. Gbala Michael, said the authorities have asked the striking doctors to allow for further talks. He confirmed that the state government would soon hold a meeting to discuss their demands and find a solution to the issues raised by the doctors.
The strike has brought attention to the challenging conditions faced by medical professionals in Ondo, with hopes for a resolution that improves the working environment and addresses their grievances.
