The current strike by nurses, pharmacists, health records personnel and other medical organs has partly paralysed health care services at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

An investigation by News Express reveals that almost all the wards in the hospital have become virtually deserted. The few people at the out-patient wards were still waiting patiently as of 9:30 this morning for arrival of any medical doctor to attend to them.

The few patients bemoaned the situation, describing it as “very frustrating”. A non health worker at the hospital, who preferred anonymity, expressed sympathy with the helpless patients, saying: “The incessant strike by health workers is becoming worrisome in this country.”

He recalled that it is “not quite long when the medical doctors in the public health institutions called off their industrial action,” adding: “The strike even spilled into the unfortunate Ebola epidemic period which affected some parts of this nation.”

A female patient who gave her name as Eka Umoh heaved a sigh of relief when told by a fellow female patient that some medical consultants were rendering skeletal services to patients. She urged the Federal Ministry of Health to “take prompt and enduring measures to halt the incessant strikes once and for all” in the overall interest of public health care delivery in the country.

A medical consultant who personally attended to patients at the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) section and who opted for anonymity, stated that he was “handling patients’ cases effectively,” adding that “there is no problem here” as he checked and prescribed drugs to anxious patients.

The strike notice carrying the acronyms of affiliated unions including NAMMN, MHWUN, SSAUTHRIAI, NUAHP and NASU, dated November 13, 2014 and addressed to all their members in the hospital, reads in parts: “We wish to inform you that we have been directed by our national body to withdraw our services with effect from midnight, Wednesday, November 12, 2014.

“The industrial action will be definite until all our demands are met. Thank you”.

Efforts to speak with UUTH Chief Medical Director, Prof. Etete Peters, proved abortive.

•Photo shows hospital patients.