News
Patients Suffer As Doctors’ Strike Bites Harder
New CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele (right), receiving a hand over note from the Acting Governor, Dr Sarah Alade in Abuja, yesterday.
As the nationwide warning strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) enters its second day, the situation at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Choba near Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, yesterday, looked desperate as patients were locked out of the clinics and labour wards, with no Doctors available to attend to them.
Some of the patients at the hospital, who spoke with The Tide yesterday, stated that they were confused on what to do, and complained that the strikes in the health sector in Nigeria were too frequent for comfort.
They appealed to the government to accede to the demands of the resident doctors while charging the doctors to be reminded that their job was a humanitarian one.
Meanwhile, the President, NARD, UPTH Chapter, Dr Prince Dan-Jumbo, has stated that the strike action, which commenced Monday, will terminate tomorrow at 8am.
Dan-Jumbo said that the reasons for the strike action bordered on lack of funding and policy framework for training of resident doctors, and general poor funding of the health sector.
He said that the doctors were also in solidarity with their colleagues at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, whom he said, the Medical Director of the centre, Dr Uwakwem, had held onto their December, 2013 to February, 2014, salaries without any convincing reason.
According Dan-Jumbo, since 2013, most doctors had been receiving only 90 per cent of their salaries in addition to late payment of salaries and allowances, which he said, could no longer be condoned.
He added that at the expiration of the three-day warning strike, if nothing tangible is done, they would have no other option than to embark on an indefinite strike by July 1, 2014.
Dan-Jumbo observed that the patients had been handed over to the consultants, saying that the patients were owned by the consultants by virtue of the fact that the hospital is an extension of the University of Port Harcourt.
Elsewhere, pregnant women, children, the aged and patients seeking care in public hospitals are bearing the brunt of the three-day warning strike by the resident doctors.
In Lagos, the strike took most patients unawares as they arrived early to keep appointments at various clinics, as only skeletal services were available.
Activities at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi-Araba; Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba; National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi were severely hampered as most of the outpatient clinics, though open, were almost deserted as little or no activity was going on.
At the LUTH yesterday, the Accident and Emergency ward was shut, and new patients were turned back. The Ante-Natal Clinic and Children Out Patient Department were also bereft of activity as there were no doctors attending to patients.
At the Ear, Nose and Throat, ENT, department, few patients on appointment were seen being attended to by a consultant.
Several pregnant women waiting at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology departments of LUTH said none of them had been attended to.
A similar scenario was on at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, where only senior medical consultants, nurses, ward aides and other auxiliary staff were seen attending to patients in the wards and the Accident and Emergency unit of the hospital.
The outpatient clinics were open but devoid of the usual activities.
A hospital source disclosed that contingency measures were in place to cushion the effects of the strike.
At the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, dozens of patients booked for appointment, left the hospital premises in annoyance after waiting for long hours without getting attention, while a few patients were observed sleeping in the waiting room.
Some of the patients said they had no choice than to wait until they were attended to.
Speaking to newsmen, President, NARD, LUTH, Dr. Omojowolo Olubunmi, who disclosed that the industrial action at LUTH was in line with the NARD’s three-day warning strike, also explained that the strike at LUTH was indefinite.
He said: “It is just coincidence that our strike coincided with the three-day warning strike called by our national body, but the strike in LUTH is indefinite and we have decided not to back down until our demands from management of LUTH are met. “
But LUTH’s Chief Medical Director, Professor Akin Osibogun, said that the hospital was still open to public.
Osibogun, who stated that the strike was not in the interest of the patients, defended the management’s stand on some of the outstanding issues with ARD, urged the warring parties to exercise patience.
President of NARD, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, Dr. Akindele Akinta-yo, said the doctors can only attend to emergency cases.
On his part, President, ARD-Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Dr. Olusegun Akinwotu affirmed that if their demand is not met, there is tendency of embarking on an indefinite strike come July 1, as earlier directed by their national body.
At the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa States, services were grounded as doctors stayed away from their duty posts.
Also taking part in the strike were members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), at the FMC, Yenagoa, over non-payment of promotion arrears.
Chairman, FMC, Yenagoa chapter of NARD, Dr. Ugoeze Asinobi, said members of the association complied with the directive of their national body.
However, an executive member of JOHESU, Mr. Simon Barnabas, said the unions were compelled to embark on a warning strike over non-payment of promotion arrears.
In Benin, the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), complied with the warning strike, unlike their counterparts at the Benin Central Hospital, who shunned the action.
President of the Association of Resident Doctors, UBTH branch, Dr. Goodluck Imoudu, said the warning strike achieved 100 per cent success.
But, in sharp contrast, normal services were maintained at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu; National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu (NOHE), and the Enugu State Teaching Hospital, Park Lane, as doctors ignored the call to embark on strike.
Tonye Nria-Dappa, with agency reports
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi