Resident doctors at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, have threatened to go on an indefinite strike if electricity is not restored to their residential areas.
In a communiqué released on Monday after an emergency meeting held on February 14, the Association of Resident Doctors, UCH Chapter, expressed frustration over the continued blackout in their quarters despite the hospital being reconnected to the power grid.
The communiqué, signed by ARD President Dr. Gboyega Ajibola and General Secretary Dr. Uthman Adedeji, stated that the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) restored power to UCH on February 12 after over 100 days of outage. However, residential areas, including East Gate Road and Circular Road around the College of Medicine, remained in darkness.
The doctors noted that these residential areas have prepaid meters with units worth hundreds of thousands of naira, yet power has not been supplied.
After failed attempts to resolve the issue with the UCH management, the doctors issued a deadline of 4 p.m. on Monday for power restoration.
“Failure to restore electricity to these areas will result in a total and indefinite strike by our members,” the communiqué warned.
The doctors also called for their involvement in key discussions regarding power supply at UCH.
“We support efforts to reorganise the hospital’s electricity supply for better efficiency, but ARD leadership must be included in all discussions and meetings on this issue,” they added.
Beyond the power crisis, the association urged the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Jesse Otegbayo, to ensure the immediate payment of the 75% accoutrement allowance for 2024.
They also asked the management to prioritise their welfare and continue providing meals for doctors on call.
“We have endured over 100 days without power, showing goodwill and patience. It is time for management to address our concerns and take our welfare seriously,” the statement concluded.
