The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) has called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to honour promises made to the association in October 2024.
The appeal was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of an Emergency General Meeting of ARD-COOUTH, held in Awka on Wednesday.
Signed by the association’s President, Dr. Joy Okwumuo, and Secretary, Dr. Chukwubuike Ifekudu, the communiqué stated that failure to implement agreed terms was hindering doctors’ career progression.
The doctors urged the Anambra State Government to commence payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund to all resident doctors and to domesticate the policy to prevent repeated cases of non-payment.
They also demanded an upward review of the CONMESS salary structure to align with current rates, including allowances already received by colleagues in other state and federal institutions.
The communiqué further appealed for the recruitment of more resident doctors, in line with medical college requirements, to address manpower shortages caused by brain drain.
“ARD-COOUTH wishes that these issues are resolved promptly to sustain our present industrial harmony,” it read.
The doctors also urged all tiers of government to implement the demands of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), as raised at its Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting, ahead of the expiration of the current 10-day ultimatum.
While expressing concerns, the association commended Governor Soludo, the hospital management and other stakeholders for their continued support for members’ welfare.
