The Association of Resident Doctors at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, has announced that it will embark on an indefinite strike if electricity is not restored to UCH’s residential areas.
This declaration was made in a communiqué following an emergency meeting.
On February 12, the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) reconnected the UCH after over 100 days of power outage.
However, the communiqué, signed by the chapter’s president, Gboyega Ajibola, and general secretary, Uthman Adedeji, noted that the residential areas remained disconnected.
The duo noted that this situation persisted despite the residential areas having prepaid meters with units valued at hundreds of thousands of naira, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
They mentioned that an emergency congress was convened after all available options to engage with the UCH management had been explored.
The congress demanded that power be restored to all residential areas within the hospital, including East Gate Road and Circular Road surrounding the College of Medicine, no later than 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,” the association said.
“But the leadership of ARD must be included in all delegations for critical discussions, meetings or summons by higher authorities concerning power supply in UCH.
“We resolved that a strongly worded letter outlining the true narrative regarding power situation, be sent to the Chief Medical Director (CMD), with relevant stakeholders informed.”
The duo also urged CMD Jesse Otegbayo to expedite the payment of the 75% accoutrement allowance for 2024.
They further called on the management to prioritize the welfare of resident doctors, acknowledging the goodwill demonstrated by congress members over the past 100 days.
They advocated for the continued provision of ‘call food’ to resident doctors on call.
