Resident doctors at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH) have started a one-week warning strike.

The doctors downed tools over what they describe as the government’s insensitivity to major issues affecting the provision of optimal care for patients and the training of resident doctors in the state.

President of the Association of Resident Doctors, DELSUTH, Dr. Harrison Udjah, while briefing the press in Asaba said the current situation was increasing mortality rates and needed urgent attention.

According to him, the subvention received by the hospital from the state government is very poor and needs to be increased for better health care delivery in the state.

Apart from the subvention, he and his colleagues are also concerned about what they say is the deteriorating infrastructure at the hospital.

He said, “Despite recent renovations, the ongoing decay of the hospital is glaringly evident. The elevator has never functioned, plumbing remains as problematic as it was before the refurbishment, fixtures are falling apart and the air conditioning units and fans have all malfunctioned; working within the hospital has become an extremely distressing experience due to these issues.”

Another issue the doctors have is the state of equipment at the hospital.

The CT scan machine, MRI machine, mammography machine, endoscopy machine, orthopedic equipment, anesthetic machine, ventilators, multi-parameter monitors, and electroencephalography machine are among equipment they consider outdated.

Also, of concern to them is the “poor salary structure” which they say has forced doctors to seek greener pastures abroad.

“We urge all concerned parties to impress upon the state government the importance of adequately funding the highest referral centre in Delta State,” Dr Udjah said. (Channels TV)