Resident doctors at the Federal medical centre, FMC Umuahia have joined their counterparts across the country in downing tools following the industrial action ordered by their national body.
The President, Association of Resident Doctors, FMC UMUAHIA, Dr Felix Onu, confirmed the development in an interview with newsmen in Umuahia.
Dr Onuh said the strike was a last resort after the Federal government failed to meet several agreements reached with their national body.
He listed some of the issues in contention to include inadequate provision of personal protective equipment for doctors especially those managing Covid 19 patients, non payment of improved hazard allowance following the Covid 19 outbreak, non implementation of the residency training act, as well as arrears owed doctors at state teaching hospitals.
Dr Onuh however noted that due to the perculiarity of the Covid 19 pandemic, the resident doctors who were engaged in the management of cases in the isolation/treatment centres were exempted from the strike for about two weeks to enable them to sustain the fight against the ailment.
He stressed the need for the government to accord the health care sector and the professionals the needed attention to enhance their ability to meet the yearnings of Nigerians.
The medical expert regretted the challenge this industrial action would pose to patients ,their relatives and care givers adding that the move was aimed at repositioning the sector for better service delivery.
