The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara, has raised alarm over what it described as worsening welfare conditions and inadequate facilities in the hospital.

Rising from its Third Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) of the 2024/2025 executive year, held on Friday, September 19, 2025, the doctors listed unpaid arrears, lack of essential equipment, and poor infrastructure as major challenges confronting them.

In a communiqué signed by its president, Dr. Oghenetega Ejeheri, ARD DELSUTH condemned the non-payment of 13 months of revised CONMESS arrears and 25 months of accoutrement allowance arrears, despite repeated reminders to management.

“It is unacceptable that our members continue to work under these conditions while arrears continue to pile up. These allowances are not privileges; they are entitlements,” Dr. Ejeheri said.

The doctors also lamented the absence of critical equipment needed for effective healthcare delivery. According to them, promised life-saving machines such as ventilators, advanced multi-parameter monitors, and instruments for the abandoned Orthopaedic Centre have yet to be provided.

“Patients still have to be referred to Warri for basic radiological investigations because our CT scanner lacks an automated contrast injector. This defeats the purpose of having the machine in the first place,” the communiqué stated.

On manpower shortages, the association noted that limited recruitment in a few departments had not eased the burden, leaving resident doctors overworked.

“The level of burnout among our members is alarming. Without urgent recruitment of more hands, service delivery and training will continue to suffer,” Dr. Ejeheri warned.

The doctors further criticized the deplorable state of call rooms, saying many doctors are forced to sleep in their cars or share beds due to inadequate facilities. They also condemned the abandonment of the house officers’ quarters and their exclusion from the hospital’s housing allocation committee, describing it as a deliberate attempt to sideline the association.

Other issues raised include the poor running of the Delta State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme within the hospital, inconsistent drug supply in the pharmacy due to lack of an electronic inventory system, and the debts owed to food vendors that have affected call meals for doctors on duty.

ARD DELSUTH resolved that management must urgently address these challenges, including settling all outstanding arrears, fast-tracking accreditation of unaccredited departments, revamping call facilities, and procuring essential equipment.

“We cannot continue to work in an environment that undermines both our welfare and the quality of care delivered to patients. If urgent steps are not taken, we may be left with no option but to take decisive industrial action,” the doctors warned.

The communiqué, however, noted a recent meeting between the Executive Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and a delegation of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Delta State, which had ARD DELSUTH represented. The association acknowledged the governor’s commitment to addressing their concerns and said it has extended its earlier ultimatum in anticipation of swift action. (Channels TV)