COOUTH Resident Doctors Make Powerful Move, Suspend Warning Strike After Positive Response from Government

The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Awka, Anambra State, has announced the suspension of its seven-day warning strike.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday in Awka by the ARD-COOUTH President, Dr. Joy Okwumuo, and Secretary, Dr. Chukwubuike Ifekudu.

The resident doctors had commenced the strike on Thursday to demand improved working conditions.

According to the statement, members have been directed to resume duties from 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, following the government’s approval of their demands.

“The decision to suspend the strike followed the approval for release of the Medical Residency Training Fund and a 100 per cent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Scale by Governor Chukwuma Soludo by the end of September.

“The governor also approved allowances for house officers, rural posting for previously skipped departments, accouterments, and specialist allowances from CONMESS 5 step 5 for resident doctors.

“The government also approved payment of accumulated arrears, including the previously skipped approved 2024 hazard allowance arrears,” it said.

The association reaffirmed its commitment to working with the hospital’s Chief Medical Director to implement approved decisions.

It also emphasised the urgent need to recruit resident doctors and house officers to meet medical college staffing standards and curb brain drain.

The association reiterated its call for the accreditation of the Family Medicine, Radiology, and Anaesthesiology departments to enable members to sit for professional exams.

It, however, expressed gratitude to Soludo, the Head of Service, Commissioner for Health, COOUTH management, Nigerian Medical Association, and National Association of Resident Doctors for their support.