The Association of Resident Doctors at Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (ARD-KWASUTH) has vowed to continue its industrial action, citing persistent neglect of health workers’ welfare and worsening manpower shortages in the state’s health sector.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Ilorin, ARD-KWASUTH President Dr. Abdulfatah Abdulazeez expressed frustration over the Kwara State Government’s silence since the strike began, describing it as “disappointing” and demoralising for medical workers who have endured years of neglect.
“Our members are still being owed accoutrement allowances for 2024 and 2025. It is demoralising and unfair,” Abdulazeez said, noting that repeated engagements with relevant authorities over the hospital’s manpower gaps have yielded no action.
He highlighted the urgent need for more House Officers and resident doctors to prevent the loss of residency accreditation, warning that the poor working environment continues to hinder effective service delivery. “Despite our commitment to improve service delivery and ensure quality healthcare, these issues remain unresolved,” he added.
The ARD-KWASUTH president insisted that the strike will persist until the state government meaningfully addresses their demands. “We will continue with the strike unless the government responds responsibly to these issues affecting quality healthcare delivery,” he said.
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The industrial action comes amid a nationwide strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), which has disrupted services in hospitals across the country over unpaid arrears, manpower shortages, and poor working conditions.
Efforts to obtain a response from Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, were unsuccessful as of Tuesday evening. She asked for time to respond to inquiries regarding the matter.
Health workers in Kwara State have repeatedly raised concerns over poor welfare, inadequate staffing, stagnant remuneration, and lack of incentives, problems that have contributed to the exodus of medical professionals from the state in recent years.