COOUTH Resident Doctors Bemoan Members Welfare Neglect, Seek Soludo Intervention

By Our Reporter

The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) has appealed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to fulfil his promises to the association in October 2024.

The Resident Doctors made the appeal on Wednesday in a communique issued at the end of ARD-COOUTH Emergency General Meeting in Awka.

The Communique which was signed by Dr Joy Okwumuo and Dr Chukwubuike Ifekudu, the President and Secretary respectively of ARD-COOUTH said non implementation of the terms was affecting their ability to progress in their career.

ARD COOUTH urged the government to commence payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund to all resident doctors in and domesticate the same to forestall the recurrent issues of non-payment.

“We call for upgrade of our CONMESS salary structure to the prevailing rate including all the relevant but omitted allowances with accumulated arrears.

“We call for employment of resident doctors to meet the approved number by the medical colleges in each department and replace the vacuum left by brain drain.

“ARD COOUTH wishes that these issues are resolved timely in order to sustain our present industrial harmony,” it said.

They call on government at all levels to address the demands raised by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) in their its extra-ordinary national executive Council (E-NEC) meeting before the expiration of 10-day Ultimatum.

The Resident Doctors expressed gratitude to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo and management of COOUTH and individuals for their commitment to members’ welfare.

“We also wish to appreciate Commissioner of Health, the President National association of Resident Doctors, the Nigeria Medical Association Anambra state and Anambra State Head of Service for their continued support for ARD-COOUTH, ” it said.