ARD COOUTH Warning Strike begins in Anambra as resident doctors protest unpaid allowances, staff shortages, and failed promises by the state government

ARD COOUTH Warning Strike has officially commenced as resident doctors at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) in Awka, Anambra State, downed tools to protest deteriorating working conditions and unmet financial commitments by the state government.

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In a communique released after an emergency meeting on Wednesday, the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD COOUTH) declared a seven-day warning strike effective 12 noon, September 11, citing a string of unfulfilled promises.

The communique, jointly signed by Dr. Joy Okwumuo (President) and Dr. Chukwubuike Ifekudu (Secretary), expressed deep frustration over the non-payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) and the upwardly revised CONMESS salary structure, among other key demands.

“Having exhausted one year waiting without any positive response, ARD COOUTH regrettably resolved to commence the industrial action,” the doctors stated.

Despite repeated engagements with the Anambra State Government, the union lamented that promises made to resolve grievances during the last strike in October 2024 have not been honoured.

Beyond unpaid allowances, the doctors highlighted staff shortages, which they say have led to overworked medical personnel, affecting service delivery and patient outcomes.

ARD COOUTH is demanding:

•  Full payment and gazetting of the Medical Residency Training Fund
• Payment of arrears, accoutrement, and rural posting allowances
•  Recruitment of new doctors to meet national staffing standards

“We hope all demands are met to prevent indefinite industrial action,” the statement warned, urging hospital management, the public, and relevant stakeholders to pressure the government into swift action.

The strike, though limited in scope for now, could evolve into a full-blown shutdown if issues remain unresolved.

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The ARD COOUTH Warning Strike throws a spotlight on broader systemic issues facing Nigeria’s healthcare sector—inconsistent funding, staffing crises, and broken promises.