Doctors from the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja (FTHL), have appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Health Minister Prof. Ali Pate for urgent intervention, citing worsening conditions that threaten the hospital’s survival.
During a peaceful protest at the hospital on Thursday, former ARD chairman, Dr. Olushola Baoku, disclosed that the number of doctors had sharply declined from 315 to just 43 due to poor working conditions.
Baoku criticized the hospital’s management, describing the facility as a “slave camp” under the leadership of Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr. Olatunde Alabi. He highlighted several alarming issues, including doctors being kept on temporary contracts that are renewed every two months, a lack of pension plans, no hazard allowances, and broken medical equipment.
The protesting doctors also highlighted the hospital’s inability to handle emergencies, referencing a tragic incident where a staff member died due to a power outage.
Additionally, they demanded the reinstatement of their suspended president, Dr. Jimoh Umar, who was removed after advocating for reforms at the hospital. Baoku claimed that despite an order from the Minister of Health through Permanent Secretary Ms. Kachollom Shangti Daju to reinstate Umar on December 12, 2024, the CMD has refused to comply.
The ARD members vowed to continue their protests until their concerns are addressed, urging immediate government action to save the hospital from collapse.
