The doctors' union at University College Hospital in Ibadan clarified that they have not stopped working at night or gone on strike, contrary to what the public may think.
The PUNCH Other hospital unions, excluding the ARD and Medical and Dental Consultants, have told their members to work between 8 am and 4 pm each day.
The JAC Chairman, Oladayo Olabampe, explained that they made this decision to protest the disconnection of the hospital's power supply by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company due to alleged unpaid electricity bills of N495m.
However, the ARD stated in a release by its President, John Oladapo, and General Secretary, Gboyega Ajibola, that it supports all health workers due to poor working conditions.
The statement expressed concern about misleading media reports regarding the power outage at the University College Hospital, emphasizing that the doctors have not suspended night shifts or gone on strike.
The disruption of power supply by IBEDC has affected patient care and health worker safety at the hospital, leading to suboptimal healthcare delivery.
The ARD-UCH affirmed their solidarity with all health workers about the inadequate working conditions, and clarified that UCH doctors continue to provide essential care and service as needed.
Meanwhile, the JAC Chairman, Olabampe, mentioned that the workers would limit their activities until electricity was restored, working only between 8 am and 4 pm.
Additionally, the workers threatened to go on a seven-day strike if the hospital was not reconnected before Tuesday, April 9.
The JAC Chairman stated that the workers would continue their scaled-down activities due to the ongoing power outage, which has affected evening patient care at UCH.
They explained that they delayed their action initially due to consideration for the patients, but have now scaled down their activities as the power has not been restored.
So far, the power has not been restored, and the workers have kept to their reduced work schedule between 8 am and 4 pm each day since Tuesday.
