The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Awka, Anambra, has suspended its seven-day warning strike.
This was contained in a statement signed by the ARD-COOUTH President and Secretary, Dr Joy Okwumuo and Dr Chukwubuike Ifekudu, yesterday in Awka.
The resident doctors embarked on a warning strike on Thursday to press for improved working conditions.
The statement directed members 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, accoutrements, 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 stated.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to working with the hospital’s Chief Medical Director to ensure implementation of the approved decisions.
It also stressed the urgent need to recruit resident doctors and house officers to meet medical college staffing requirements and stem brain drain.
The association further reiterated its call for the accreditation of the Family Medicine, Radiology, and Anaesthesiology departments to enable its members to sit for professional examinations.
It, however, expressed gratitude to Governor Soludo, the Head of Service, the Commissioner for Health, COOUTH management, the Nigerian Medical Association, and the National Association of Resident Doctors for their support.
