The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Lokoja (FTHL) has once again urged President Bola Tinubu and Health Minister Ali Pate to investigate the alarming conditions, decay of facilities, and inhumane treatment occurring at the hospital before it collapses completely.
The members of the association also demanded the immediate reinstatement of their President, Dr. Jimoh Umar, who was suspended last year due to the association’s activities.
During a recent peaceful protest at the hospital premises in Lokoja, Dr. Olushola Baoku, the immediate past Chairman of the association, noted that the hospital once had 315 doctors. However, it currently has only 43 doctors due to poor working conditions.
Dr. Baoku emphasized that many doctors employed at the hospital are under a troubling contract system that requires them to renew their contracts every two months with the management.
He described this situation as ridiculous, especially in a country that is investing heavily in the health sector.
“This category of doctors have no pension, no promotion, no hazard allowance, no minimum wage award and they work in a harsh environment where facilities in the hospital are not functioning.
“We are aware that the federal government through the ministry of health has directed the management of the hospital to use the Internal Generated Revenue of the hospital to clear all outstanding arrears , we are shocked to hear that uptill now this hospital is owing humongous amount due for the workers of the hospital.
“Some of our doctors in this hospital in the last five years have been renewing their contract instead of the management to engage them fully. Since 2012 this hospital has not employed a single doctor and other health workers reason the hospital is passing through acute shortage of manpower in all units and sections of the hospital.
“In the last one week this is the third protest Resident Doctors in Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja are staging. We have chosen to remain in this country to serve our father’s land but some people who believe they are above the law are making things worst and difficult for us and the hospital.
“This hospital has been turned to a slave camp by Olatunde Alabi-led administration. The hospital is nothing but doctors’ slave camp.
“We have written 14 petitions to the minister of health Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate , to the SGF Senator George Akume, to the Head of Service of the federation and very recently to the Permanent Secretary federal ministry of health , to NMA leaders complaining the decay in this hospital and up till now nothing has been done.
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“Perhaps the authority concern have decided to allow this hospital to collapse because of the inaction of the few people that managed the hospital.
“The other time doctors and other health workers were beaten seriously by someone who brought a sick relation to the hospital because nothing could be done to safe life due to lack of unfunctional equipment.
“The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital can not keep a patient for three hours because of lack of facilities and as a result of that the President of our association stood up to demand for a facelift in the hospital but the management started the persecution, suspension and now fake termination of Dr Jimoh Umar,” he said
Dr Baoku, who alleged that the Chief Medical Director of the hospital Dr. Olatunde Alabi has been foot dragging to reinstate Dr. Jimoh Umar the president of the association, said the minister of health through the Permanent Secretary had directed that Dr Umar be reinstated immediately.
“The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate through the Permanent Secretary, Ms Kachollom Shangti Daju, has approved the reinstatement of Dr Jimoh Umar since December 12, 2024.
“The letter got to the FTHL on January 11, 2025, but the CMD, Dr Olatunde Alabi, has deliberately refused to effect the content of the letter as directed by the Minister. All we are saying as doctors is that the CMD should obey the superior order according to the Section 3 of Civil Service Rule.
“It says refusal to treat official file, violation of auto secrecy, act unbecoming of a public officer and insubordination, are all acts of misconduct. All these are contained in the public service rule, and all of us are under the public service rules including the CMD,” he stated.
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