BSUTH reacts to notice of indefinite strike by resident doctors

OUR RESPONSE TO THE NOTICE OF 21 DAY ULTIMATUM FOR INDEFINITE STRIKE BY ASSOCIATION OF RESIDENT DOCTORS (ARD)

By Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH)

The Management of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital was yesterday in receipt of a notice of strike by the Association of Resident Doctors, (ARD), BSUTH Chapter. Management also noticed that prior to the service of the notice of strike, the leadership of the Association issued a press statement.

In both write ups, the Association gave Management a “21 day Ultimatum For An Indefinite Strike Action” for sacking some of the members.

In as much as Management would have wished to continue to treat this issue as a family matter with all confidentiality, it has become inevitable for us to clarify certain issues the Association raised in its press statement on this medium.

First, we wish to inform that, whereas, the Association alleged that 30 of their members have been ‘sacked’ by the Management of the hospital, we wish to point out that only three resident doctors were terminated upon service of month notice in compliance with directives of the Management Board of the hospital.

For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to make it clear that residency is a time bound training program. The Residency Training Policy of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, requires resident doctors to pass all prescribed examinations within a maximum period of 6 years.

Consequently, all resident doctors whose appointments with the hospital have been terminated have exceeded the prescribed period for the program. As such, Management had no option than to terminate their appointments in accordance with the Residency Training Policy approved by the Board.

It is important to clarify here that, as at now the Medical Residency Training Act 2017, which the Association made reference to, in their press statement is yet to be domesticated by the Benue State University Teaching Hospital. The hospital is therefore constrained to implement the contents of the said Act until it is approved by the Board

The hospital following the commencement of operations in 2012 had its own Residency Training Policy document which has been in force since then.
The Management of the hospital sincerely acknowledges and appreciates the services rendered by resident doctors in the hospital and will always support and encourage them to enable them complete their training successfully.

Cephas Hough
Deputy Director, Head of Public Relations
For: Management