Resident doctors at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan have begun an indefinite strike due to ongoing power supply issues in their residential quarters. The strike, which started on Monday, was confirmed by the General Secretary of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Dr. Uthman Adedeji.
Dr. Adedeji explained that while electricity was restored to some areas after over 100 days of blackout, certain sections of the doctors’ quarters were still without power. This partial restoration led the association to go ahead with the planned strike after their deadline for full electricity restoration was not met.
“Arising from the just-concluded Emergency General Meeting, EGM, of ARD UCH, which was convened to appraise the current situation, it was observed that part of the residential quarters was reconnected. Some other parts were, however, left in darkness,” Adedeji stated.
The resident doctors had earlier warned that they would embark on a strike if power was not fully restored by 4 p.m. on Monday. Despite efforts by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) to reconnect the hospital last Wednesday, the doctors say the supply remains inadequate.
In response, the ARD declared a total and indefinite strike until electricity is restored to all affected residential areas. “In light of the prevailing circumstance, we are left with no other option than to embark on the earlier planned total and indefinite strike until all residential quarters are sorted (taken care of),” Adedeji added.
He also noted that while the UCH management had taken steps to resolve the issue, more still needed to be done to ensure steady power supply for doctors who rely on the quarters. The association promised to monitor the situation and review its stance as necessary.
