Africa-Press – Nigeria. The Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, has ordered striking resident doctors to vacate their official quarters over escalating industrial dispute.
The resident doctors, who have been on strike for over one month, appealed to Governor Hyacinth Alia to urgently intervene and resolve the lingering crisis, warning that prolonged disruption could further weaken healthcare delivery in the state.
Addressing journalists at the hospital, the President of the Association of Resident Doctors, BSUTH chapter, Kawen Pededoo, said the strike was driven by longstanding welfare challenges, particularly poor accommodation and living conditions within the hospital premises.
In a swift response, the Chief Medical Director of BSUTH, Dr. Stephen Hwande, issued a three-month quit notice directing the striking doctors to vacate their residences, explaining that the move was necessary to pave way for a major renovation exercise.
Hwande said the Alia administration is committed to repositioning BSUTH as a one-stop medical centre that meets international standards, but recurring industrial actions have continued to hamper progress.
He added that while some of the issues raised by the Resident Doctors had existed for years, others were only recently brought to the attention of hospital management.
Despite the standoff, the resident doctors acknowledged efforts made so far by the state government and expressed optimism that Governor Alia’s intervention would lead to a resolution of the dispute.
They stressed that a quick settlement would not only end the strike but also fast-track the transformation of BSUTH into a world-class health institution.
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