We’re working to end resident doctors’ strike – FMC, Yenagoa mgt

THE Management of Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Yenagoa, has said efforts are underway to resolve the industrial dispute with resident doctors who downed tools over salary arrears.
The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) had, on November 15, commenced an indefinite strike to protest non-payment of salary for past two months and 52 per cent shortfall for four months.
Mr Inibaraye Ogoro Director of Administration of the hospital, who spoke to newsmen, said that the hospital was in talks with the Federal Government to end the strike and forestall other staff from joining the action.
He said that the hospital administration is doing all it can to meet the demand of FMC workers as to end the strike soon.
Our correspondent who visited the hospital observed that workers turned up in FMC, as they learnt the management has engaged the Health Ministry officials in discussion concerning their salaries backlog.
It was also gathered that the hospital also owed its workforce a backlog of 52 per cent short payment arrears for four months.
The Head of Clinical Services, Dr Preye Numbere, said the strike involved only resident doctors, adding that the hospital was still rendering health services.
He said the consultants are making concerted efforts to fill the gap as the hospital administration has started engaging the management to pay the striking doctors their outstanding salary as soon as possible.
Mr Oginike Lante, Chairman of NUAHP in FMC Yenagoa said that the salary arrears and outstanding shortfalls cuts across staff of the hospital.
Lante said that members of his group and other unions within the hospital had notified the hospital management that they would go on strike if the situation is not addressed by the end of November.