UCH resident doctors embark on indefinite strike over prolonged power outage

Members of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, Oyo state, have embarked on an indefinite strike.

NAN quoted Uthman Adedeji, the association’s secretary in Ibadan, as saying that the strike was due to power outage in some of the hospital’s residential areas.

The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) reconnected UCH on Wednesday, after more than 100 days of blackout.

The hospital had been disconnected from the national grid over an outstanding N400 million debt.

The association had earlier issued a communique that members would embark on an indefinite strike if electricity was not restored no later than 4pm on Monday.

Adedeji said while electricity had been restored, only some parts of the residential quarters were reconnected.

“Arising from the just-concluded Emergency General Meeting (EGM) of ARD UCH which was convened to appraise the current situation, it was observed that a part of the residential quarters were reconnected,” he said.

“Some other parts were however left in darkness.

“In the light of the prevailing circumstance, we are left with no other option than to embark on the earlier planned total and indefinite strike until all residential quarters are sorted (taken care of).

“We acknowledge the efforts of the UCH Management towards meeting our demand, but a lot needs to be done in order to guarantee uninterrupted service delivery.”

Adedeji added that the association would regularly review the situation and provide updates to the public.