By Kenneth Onuoha
365Daily – The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUT-TH), Parklane, has threatened to scale-down admission in the state government-owned hospital by 25 per cent to ensure adequate medicare.
The doctors made this known in a communiqué issued at the end of an emergency general meeting of the ARD – ESUT-TH at the hospital on Sunday, July 18, 2021.
The communiqué was signed by its President, Dr Emmanuel Edoga, and the association’s General Secretary, Dr. Chukwunonso Ofonere.
It noted that the doctors resolved that there would be a reduction of the admission capacity from the present 100 per cent by 25 per cent; thus making it 75 per cent daily admission due to “chronic paucity” of doctors.
The statement noted that there has been a chronic shortage of medical manpower, doctors at house officers, residents and consultants’ levels.
It added: “That the association of Resident Doctors ESUTH-TH Parklane declared a state of Emergency in ESUT-Teaching Hospital due to chronic paucity.
“That starting from Monday, July 19, 2021, the Association of Resident Doctors, Parklane will in conjunction with MDCAN ESUT-TH Parklane, scale-down all admissions/emergency intakes and clinic consultations by 25 per cent in the first instance.
“And 50 per cent from Monday, August 2, 2021, if recruitments are not carried out.”
The communiqué called on the hospital management to urgently employ a minimum of 20 new house officers, adding that these house officers can be recruited from the newly inducted medical doctors.
“That the hospital management should also urgently engage new residents in the following departments: Surgery, Psychiatry, Anaesthesia, Ophthalmology, Paediatrics, internal medicine, obstetrics and Gynaecology, radiology among others,’’ it said.
The statement noted that the remaining stagnated medical officers be properly placed, in terms of seniority and arrears paid; adding that the post Part-1 Senior Registrar be immediately advanced, and all arrears paid.
It called on the management of ESUT-TH Parklane to immediately review the procedures and terms for refunds of update and exam expenses, to closely align with the provisions of MRTF, being implemented in Federal and some governments’ tertiary health Institutions.
“Plans for full implementation of MRTF should commence. The Hospital Management should also refund the Bench Fees paid by members of ARD ESUT-TH, prior to provisional stoppage of the implementation of Bench Fees by the Federal Government,’’ it read.