News
LASUTH Doctors Begin Strike, Jan 28
Resident doctors at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja says it will begin three days warning strike on January 28 over shortage of house officers and resident doctors.
President, Association of Resident Doctors (ARD-LASUTH) Dr Fatai Balogun, said at a news conference, yesterday in Lagos that the strike would be total.
Our correspondent reports that the association had in September 2018 went on an indefinite strike to demand for the replacement of the exited house officers and resident doctors in LASUTH.
Balogun said that the strike was suspended based on the promises by the management to replace the exited officers and the affirmation of the approval by the state government.
He said that all available means of communication with both the hospital management and government had proved abortive.
“This crisis has been a recurring event over the past years without any structured policy put in place to ensure seamless replacement of the exited and existing doctors.
“This, however, creates loopholes in the provision of optimal clinical service delivery.
“It is made to appear that the only language understood by them is an avoidable industrial action.
“All we are asking for are seamless employment of resident doctors and house officers; this should not be a tall order.
“The association is left with no option, but to reluctantly resume the suspended strike with a three-day warning strike which inevitably commences at 8.00a.m on Monday, January 28, “ he said.
The president said that shortage of doctors at the hospital had resulted in long waiting period by patients and inefficient sub-optimal healthcare service.
He also said that available doctors at the hospital were being overworked and falling ill due to the workload.
According to him, 80 house officers are being budgeted for every year.
“Until our struggle in September, the government did not employ doctors.
The state government, after the struggle, employed only 55 house officers and promised to employ the remaining 25 in December, 2018.
“Up till now, the remaining 25 have not been employed,” he said.
Reacting, the LASUTH Chief Medical Director, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo, said that positive action would be taken to avert the proposed strike.
Fabamwo said that the Head of Service, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola, would ensure that all the paper works needed in the recruitment of doctors would be made possible.
“The new Head of Service believes there should be a template for automatic replacement of doctors; he says he will work toward that in order to address the shortage,” he said.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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