Godsent Ogbebor
For the second time in two weeks, resident doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja (FTHL) have taken to the streets, urging President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Pate, to intervene in what they describe as worsening conditions at the hospital.
The doctors, under the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), are calling for an urgent investigation into alleged neglect, poor facilities, and harsh working conditions at the hospital. They also demand the immediate reinstatement of their suspended president, Dr. Jimoh Umar.
The latest protest on Friday followed a similar demonstration held earlier in the week, which led to the invitation of the hospital’s Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr. Olatunde Alabi, by the state police command for a security meeting.
Speaking during the protest, the immediate past chairman of the association, Dr. Olushola Baoku, decried the severe shortage of doctors at the hospital.
“The hospital once had 315 doctors, but today, only 43 remain due to the unbearable working conditions,” he said.
Baoku further criticized the employment system at FTHL, stating that many doctors are engaged on short-term contracts that must be renewed every two months.
“These doctors have no pension, no promotions, no hazard allowances, and no minimum wage benefits. They are forced to work in a poorly equipped hospital where essential medical facilities are non-functional,” he lamented.
He added that despite directives from the Ministry of Health to use the hospital’s internally generated revenue to clear salary arrears, workers were still owed significant amounts.
“Some doctors have been renewing their contracts for the past five years instead of being offered full employment. Since 2012, this hospital has not recruited a single doctor or health worker, leaving every unit severely understaffed,” he said.
Baoku recounted distressing incidents where a lack of equipment and power supply had led to preventable deaths at the hospital.
“A hospital attendant who worked here for over 20 years was brought to the Accident and Emergency Unit in critical condition, but there was no electricity. She could have been saved if the hospital had basic facilities,” he said.
He also recalled how doctors and health workers were attacked by angry relatives of patients who could not receive proper care due to inadequate equipment.
“The Intensive Care Unit cannot sustain a patient for even three hours due to a lack of functional facilities,” he stated.
The protesting doctors also accused the CMD, Dr. Olatunde Alabi, of deliberately delaying the reinstatement of their suspended president, Dr. Jimoh Umar.
Baoku revealed that the Minister of Health, through the Permanent Secretary, approved Dr. Umar’s reinstatement on December 12, 2024, and the official letter reached the hospital on January 11, 2025. However, the hospital management has yet to act on the directive.
“The CMD has refused to obey the directive, which is a clear case of insubordination under Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules,” Baoku stated.
The doctors vowed to continue their protests until their demands are met, insisting that they are fighting not just for their rights but for the survival of the hospital and better healthcare services for the people of Kogi State.
