Medical doctors in Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching hospital, Anambra state, under the aegis of Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, has declared that the Association will begin strike on September 30, over non-payment of COVID-19 hazard and inducement allowance.
They also said non-implementation of other demands including the shortage of medical doctors in the hospital to mention but a few were other reasons for the September 30, industrial action.
The ARD-COOUTH President, Dr Obinna Aniagboso, who disclosed this in Awka, said the decision to embark on the strike action followed the stress and continue complaints of his members over the non-payment of COVID-19 hazard and inducement allowance to medical doctors working in the Hospital and the COVID-19 isolation and treatment Centre since the spread of coronavirus pandemic into Nigeria.
Aniagboso said the strike action, when commenced would only be called off when the Allowances and other demands by the doctors were met.
He expressed dismay that government has refused to pay them their COVID-19 Allowances despite their efforts in containing the spread of the virus in Anambra.
He lamented that their colleagues in Nassarawa, Lagos, Benue, Oyo, Ogun Enugu and almost all the States in Northern Nigeria, have been receiving theirs, except Anambra state.
The president regretted the inconveniences this might cause Anambra residents needing healthcare delivery during the period, but stressed that as an association, they believe in dialogue as a means of dispute resolution.
They appealed to the governor to also extend his good heart towards them with a view to resolving all pending issues so as to maintain industrial harmony in the state.