Resident doctors commence indefinite strike in Kaduna

Residents doctors in Kaduna State have began an indefinite strike on Tuesday over “sorry state” of healthcare facilities in state government hospitals.

Dr. Joseph Jokshan, President, Association of Resident Doctors in the state, said at a press briefing Monday night in Kaduna that the state government had not responded to any of the doctors’ demands issued 21 days ago.

He said that the doctors were pained to begin the strike, but “unfortunately, we cannot effectively carry out these tasks in the current sorry state of our healthcare facilities.”

Jokshan listed issues that prompted the strike to include poor funding, equipping and staffing of hospitals and non provision of living environment for medical, health workers and patients.

He said that members of the association were also demanding for payment of House Officers salaries and arrears and immediate and full implementation of “corrected” CONMESS.

“Immediate implementation of already approved funding for residency training of Kaduna state doctors in their chosen fields, as well as promotion of our doctors that are due.”

He urged the general public to “join us in this struggle and push the government to do the needful.”

“This is the struggle we intend to see through to the end, not because we are unaware of the implication of this action but because we are left with no other option,” he added.