By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the Chukwuemeka Odumwgwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Awka, Anambra State, has declared that it will on September 30 2020 embark on strike over non-payment of COVID-19 hazard and inducement allowance.

It also cited non-implementation of other demands which include the shortage of medical doctors in the hospital, etc, as further reason for the proposed strike.

Speaking in Awka on Tuesday, the ARD-COOUTH President, Dr Obinna Aniagbaoso, expressed dismay that the present administration of Governor Willie Obiano has refused to pay them their COVID-19 Allowances despite their efforts in containing the spread of the virus in Anambra.

He said: “The intended strike was necessitated by the stress and continued complaints of my members over the non-payment of COVID-19 hazard and inducement allowance to medical doctors working in the Hospital and the COVID-19 isolation and treatment Centre since the coming of coronavirus pandemic.

“Our colleagues in Nassarawa, Lagos, Benue, Oyo, Ogun Enugu and almost all the States in Northern Nigeria, have been receiving theirs, except in Anambra State.”

While saying that the strike when started will only be called off when their demands are met, the doctors regretted any inconveniences the action may cause Anambra residents needing healthcare delivery during the period.

Aniagboso added: “As an association, we believe in dialogue as a means of dispute resolution and we have always stood by this principle in all our dealings with the government of the day even in the face of the financial burden.

“I am appealing to Governor Willie Obiano to also extend his good heart towards us in view to resolving all pending issue with the government, so as to maintain industrial harmony in the state.”

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