Members of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) in Ondo town have commenced an indefinite strike, citing poor working conditions and unresolved grievances.

The strike follows a protest on Monday, where the doctor’s expressed frustration over issues such as illegal salary deductions, excessive taxation, and the non-payment of hazard allowances.

Dr. Olaogbe Kehinde, President of UNIMEDTH ARD, stated that the workload on the remaining doctors has become overwhelming due to mass resignations and unnotified departures caused by poor working conditions. Despite repeated appeals, hospital management has failed to address their demands.

“This decision to go on strike was difficult, but the failure to resolve critical issues affecting our members, infrastructure, and the quality of healthcare delivery left us with no choice,” Dr. Olaogbe said. He added that the doctors could no longer work under conditions that jeopardize their well-being and compromise patient care.

The doctors are urging the state government to:

• Resolve salary irregularities and discrepancies.
• Implement the new minimum wage scale.
• Ensure salary parity with other tertiary hospitals as mandated by the teaching hospital constitution.
• Improve working conditions across the hospital’s three centers in the state.

The immediate past ARD President, Dr. John Matthew, highlighted a significant disparity between the salaries of doctors in Ondo State and those in neighboring states. “Many doctors have left for states offering better welfare packages. Illegal salary deductions, exorbitant taxes, and poor infrastructure, including the hospital being disconnected from the national grid, are worsening the situation,” Dr. Matthew said.

Meanwhile, the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Dr. Gbala Michael, has appealed to the striking doctors for more time to address their grievances.

The doctors expressed regret for the inconvenience the strike may cause to patients and the public but emphasized that their demands must be met to prevent further erosion of the healthcare system in the state.

The FCT Police Command has arrested 33-year-old Obinna Nwigwe for allegedly shooting his friend, Andrew Philemon, during a heated argument at Najob Guest House in Bwari. The incident occurred on December 26, 2024, and has raised concerns about violent crime in the region.

According to Police Public Relations Officer SP Josephine Adeh, officers responded to a distress call about gunfire and arrived at the scene to find 29-year-old Philemon critically injured from a gunshot wound. Nwigwe, armed with a pump-action rifle, claimed the shooting was in self-defense after the argument escalated.

Nwigwe was promptly arrested at the scene. A subsequent search of his residence uncovered a shocking arsenal of weapons, including five Dane guns, one English-made single-barrel gun, an AK-47 magazine with 29 rounds of live ammunition, a taser, a bulletproof jacket, and various police uniforms and equipment.

Philemon is currently receiving treatment at the National Hospital in Abuja, while Nwigwe remains in police custody as investigations continue.

The FCT Police Command has reiterated its commitment to combating violent crime and ensuring public safety. SP Adeh emphasized the dangers of illegal firearm possession, stating, “The suspect will face the full weight of the law.”

Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to aid in crime prevention. FCT Police Commissioner Tunji Disu highlighted the importance of community involvement in maintaining security, stressing, “The safety and security of our community rely on the active participation of all citizens.”