At the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja (FTHL), Resident Doctors protested on Thursday against the insufficient workforce and unfavorable policies introduced by the hospital’s management under Dr. Olatunde Alabi.
The protesting doctors carried placards with messages such as, ‘We demand a safe working environment,’ ‘Stop using threats like no work, no pay,’ ‘Help the dying doctors at Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja,’ ‘Provide adequate meals,’ ‘End casualization of doctors,’ and ‘Mr. President, Federal Government, come to our aid,’ among others.
The Resident Doctors marched around the hospital premises to voice their grievances towards the hospital’s management.
Speaking to reporters, some protesting doctors, who requested anonymity due to fear of reprisal, highlighted that their female colleagues were losing pregnancies due to excessive workloads.
“The management of the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja has been consistently disappointing. One of the ongoing issues is the shortage of manpower. In 2020, we had around 222 resident doctors in the hospital,” one doctor stated.
“Over the past four years, many of them have left the country. Some advanced to consultant positions, while others resigned and moved elsewhere. We are now left with just 64 resident doctors, which has led to an increasing workload every day. Despite our appeals, the management insists that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not granted a waiver for hiring new resident doctors,” another doctor added.
“We demand an end to the Gifnis platform for doctors at FTHL and the immediate resolution of all pending issues, including wage arrears. Every worker deserves fair compensation,” stressed another protester.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in Kogi State, Dr. Baoku Olusola, expressed solidarity with the protesting Resident Doctors, condemning the situation at FTHL.
“We have been informed about the concerning issues at FTHL. We urge the hospital’s management to engage with the doctors, address their grievances, and find a resolution,” Dr. Olusola stated.
Highlighting the critical condition at FTHL, Dr. Olusola called upon the Federal Government to intervene swiftly and resolve the doctors’ demands to prevent a potential crisis.
“The situation at FTHL cannot be ignored. Without prompt action, the scenario may escalate. It is imperative for the government to intervene and bring a swift resolution,” he emphasized.
The Resident Doctors asserted that they will continue their protest until their concerns are adequately addressed by the hospital’s management.