By CHIMEZIE ANASO

The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) has appealed to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo to fulfil his promises to the association in October 2024.

The Resident Doctors made the appeal in a communique issued at the end of ARD-COOUTH Emergency General Meeting in Awka on Wednesday.

The Communique which was signed by Dr Joy Okwumuo and Dr Chukwubuike Ifekudu, the President and Secretary of ARD-COOUTH respectively said non implementation of the terms was affecting their ability to progress in their career.

ARD COOUTH urged the government to commence payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund to all resident doctors and domesticate the same to forestall the recurrent issues of non-payment.

“We call for an upgrade in our CONMESS salary structure to prevailing rate including all the relevant but omitted allowances which other state and federal institutions are benefiting from for years.

“We call for employment of resident doctors to meet the approved number by the medical colleges in each department and replace the vacuum left by brain drain.

“ARD COOUTH wishes that these issues are resolved timely in order to sustain our present industrial harmony,” it said.

They called on government at all levels to address the demands raised by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) in their extra-ordinary national executive Council (E-NEC) meeting before the expiration of the 10-day Ultimatum.

The Resident Doctors expressed gratitude to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo and management of COOUTH and individuals for their commitment to members’ welfare.

“We also wish to appreciate the Commissioner of Health, the President National Association of Resident Doctors, the Nigeria Medical Association Anambra state and Anambra State Head of Service for their continued support for ARD-COOUTH, ” it said.(NAN)