By Tony Adibe
The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Teaching Hospital has issued a 14-day ultimatum to Enugu State Government to employ more doctors and ensure security.
This is contained in a communique issued on Saturday after the end of Emergency General Meeting (EGM) of ARD in ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu held on Friday November 17, 2023.
The communique was jointly signed by the President of ARD-ESUT, Dr Chukwunonso Ofonere and its Secretary General, Dr Ikemefuna Nnamani. The statement called on the Management of ESUT Teaching Hospital and the Enugu State Government to declare state of emergency on the employment of doctors in the hospital.
It said that the EGM observed with great pain and regret, the silence from the Management of the hospital on the communique issued two weeks ago following the Emergency Executive Council Meeting (EECM) which held on November 1, 2023, despite our ultimatum of two weeks.
According to the statement, the EGM observed that it is now 120 days since the Government through the Secretary to the State Government promised the ARD of employment of Medical Officers and Resident Doctors, and we are yet to see an advert to this effect.
It said that the EGM was intimated of the Management’s proposed plan to ensure the safety of doctors and other health workers in the hospital. The statement noted that the EGM had resolved to extend the initial 14 days ultimatum by another 14 days ultimatum which shall end on December 1, 2023, and by this time, the following three resolutions be met.
“First, the management should declare state of emergency on the employment of doctors in the hospital. There should be an urgent approval for the recruitment of Medical Officers, Resident Doctors, and House Officers in the hospital.
“This recruitment should be focused especially at the Accident and Emergency Department, Surgery Department, Internal Medicine Department, Paediatrics Department, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Departments etc. Resident Doctors that have left our institution in the past four years and was never replaced.
“Secondly, Management should ensure implementation of safety policies to protect her workers against physical attacks and kidnap within one week as promised by the Chief Medical Director (CMD).
“Thirdly, the immediate implementation of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) as our counterpart in other states; even as attached to this communique is the list of the eligible doctors and the financial implications,” it said.
The statement noted that the EGM resolved that after 14 days and the above demands are not met that “industrial harmony cannot be guaranteed”.
