Calabar varsity doctors suspend strike
From Anietie Akpan, Calabar
FOLLOWING an agreement reached with the hospital's management, the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) yesterday suspended the strike embarked upon since June 29, 2004.
The action was in protest of an assault on one of the doctors by an unknown person allegedly aided by an intern optometrist in the hospital.
They demanded that the intern, who aided the assault on their colleague should be sanctioned.
A letter calling off the strike dated July 5, and signed by the ARD president, Dr. Ofem Enang and secretary general, Dr. Aquaeno Ekanem said: "Following an emergency general meeting of the association held in July, we wish to inform you of the suspension of the strike embarked upon on June 29 in the interest of the public.
The association, however, noted the ambiguity in the clause of "indefinite suspension" instead of a definite time frame demanded in our earlier letter and we believe the management can ill-afford these infractions in industrial relations as management has demonstrated it can be proactive if it chooses to.
Accordingly, the doctors urged the hospital's management to take appropriate measures to avoid future occurrence of the ugly incident. The ARD added that it would not hesitate to resume the action should it discover that the sanction vide the letter has not been implemented as stated.
On state of the hospital, they charged the management to address their letter without delay and "kindly look into all our outstanding financial demands as our patience in that regard has been fully stretched. The management should take urgent steps to remedy the administrative lapses noted during the strike".
Earlier, the Chief Medical Director of UCTH, Dr. Etetim Asuquo had on July 2, written to the intern.
"Following an emergency house committee meeting held on July 2, on the case of assault on Enakihere at the casualty department on May 1, 2004, I regret to inform you that you have been suspended without pay from the internship programme in the department of ophthalmology", the letter read.
It also stated that "the suspension which is indefinite, takes effect from July 2, 2004, and you will hand over any hospital property in your possession to your head of department and proceed on the suspension with immediate effect".
Normal medical activities have resumed in the hospital since the suspension of the strike.
