Ekiti Striking Doctors Adamant, Reject Obas’ Intervention

The striking resident doctors of the Federal Tertiary Hospital, Ido Ekiti, have rejected the appeal of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers to call off their four-month-old industrial strike.

The council led by its Chairman and Ologotun of Ogotun, Oba Samuel Oyebade, had last week Friday held a meeting with the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Majekodunmi Ayodele, and officials of the Association of Resident Doctors.

Also at the meeting were the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph, Adewole; Alara of Aramoko, Oba Olu Adeyemi and the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Idowu Faboro.

The meeting had advised the doctors to call off the strike immediately, while all their demands would be met as finances improved.

But the doctors have yet to resume work on Thursday.

Speaking on the issue in Ado Ekiti, Oba Adewole said the council waded in the matter to avert unwarranted death and sufferings among the  masses.

The monarch urged the striking doctors to give the council a benefit of the doubt about its capacity to ensure that all their demands were met.

“We are very optimistic that the doctors will see reason and respect our intervention. Ordinarily it is not our duty to mediate in this kind of crisis, but we can’t continue to watch when our people are suffering.

“This hospital is a major referral centre in Ekiti. Many lives have been lost due to this strike. The Chief Medical Director had given us the assurances that he would meet all their demands when the finances improve. So, we are looking forward to seeing them calling off this strike,” he said.

The CMD, who expressed dismay over the situation in the hospital said, “The royal fathers had pleaded with all of us to keep faith in one another just for the members of the public to enjoy the best out of this medical facilities.

“We have both reached an agreement before the royal fathers and I believe we have to keep the pact to respect their positions. I have promised that all their demands will be met, but that cannot happen when the hospital is completely shut down.”

Speaking about the  doctors’ refusal to suspend the industrial disharmony, the ARD’s Secretary, Dr  Deji Ekundayo, said the action should not be seen as an act of disrespect for the monarchs.

He added that the doctors decided to continue with the strike until all their demands were met.

Punch