UCH Doctors Embark on Indefinite Strike Over Incomplete Residential Power Restoration
Doctors at University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan have initiated an indefinite strike following partial restoration of power in the hospital’s residential quarters. The action, confirmed by Dr. Uthman Adedeji, General Secretary of the resident doctors’ association, comes after the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) reconnected power to only select parts of the facility.
The resident doctors had earlier warned that an indefinite strike would commence if full power restoration was not achieved by 4 p.m. on Monday. Although IBEDC managed to reconnect some residential areas after more than 100 days of outage, significant portions remain without electricity.
“While we appreciate the efforts made so far, the fact that parts of the residential quarters are still in darkness leaves us no choice but to begin our strike,” Adedeji said. The doctors have called for immediate and comprehensive resolution to the power supply issues and have demanded that their leadership be included in all critical discussions with relevant authorities.
In addition to the power supply concerns, the doctors have urged UCH’s management to expedite the payment of the 75% accouterment allowance for 2024 and to continue providing essential “call food” provisions for resident doctors on duty. The group’s communiqué emphasized that the welfare of the residents is paramount to ensuring uninterrupted and effective healthcare delivery at one of Ibadan’s oldest and most reputable institutions.
