The industrial crisis at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital deepened on Friday as doctors warned of an impending indefinite strike over deteriorating hospital conditions, unpaid professional allowances and alleged intimidation of union leaders.
The doctors, under the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria, began a one-week warning strike on May 18. They said the action was aimed at compelling the Delta State Government to implement the Revised Professional Allowances currently enjoyed by doctors in federal health institutions and urgently address the poor state of the hospital.
But beyond the welfare dispute, the doctors also accused hospital authorities of attempting to suppress growing concerns through intimidation and media management rather than addressing the underlying problems.
In a press statement jointly signed by the Chairman, Dr Abolodje Efe, and Secretary, Dr Nwajei Anita, MDCAN said the response of the ministry and hospital management to their demands had included coercive measures targeted at the union leadership.
According to the association, its chairman was subjected to a Facebook blackmail attempt, issued a query letter and dragged before an investigative panel over an unsigned and unattributed Facebook post.
“MDCAN DELSUTH reiterates its call for an immediate end to the victimisation of the Chairman,” they stated.
The association warned that failure to urgently address the issues raised could trigger a total and indefinite strike capable of paralysing healthcare delivery within the institution.
The doctors also alleged attempts to prevent independent assessment of the hospital’s condition after Channels Television was invited by the association for a fact-finding mission but was allegedly denied access by the management.
According to MDCAN, shortly after the failed visit, the hospital management reportedly invited another media organisation while hurried clean-up and repair activities allegedly commenced across parts of the facility.
The association claimed that on May 22, observers noticed ongoing work from the hospital gate to wards and corridors, allegedly aimed at presenting a more favourable image of the hospital ahead of a planned media visit.
“A staff member informed the Chairman that a media house was expected to visit, while the Acting Chief Medical Director also acknowledged that a media crew was coming,” the statement said.
“Rather than addressing the concerns raised by MDCAN, there appears to be an attempt to suppress the truth and mislead the public about the actual state of the hospital.”
At the centre of the dispute are allegations of worsening infrastructure decay, non-functional equipment and deteriorating welfare conditions, which doctors say are fuelling an exodus of specialists from the institution.
MDCAN alleged that several doctors have continued to leave DELSUTH for neighbouring federal institutions due to the failure to implement the Revised Professional Allowances approved by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
“Doctors are leaving in droves because welfare conditions are no longer sustainable,” the association stated.
The doctors warned that if urgent intervention is not made by the Delta State Government, the looming indefinite strike could cripple clinical services, disrupt residency training programmes and destabilise the medical school programme linked to the teaching hospital.
“There is an anticipated total and indefinite strike that could paralyse clinical activities, residency training and medical school programmes if these issues are not addressed urgently,” MDCAN warned.
The warning strike, which began on May 18, is expected to continue through the week as uncertainty grows over possible negotiations between the doctors, hospital management and state authorities.
