Resident Doctors Protest as Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja Faces Collapse
The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja (FTHL) has renewed its plea for intervention from President Bola Tinubu and Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Pate, citing worsening conditions at the hospital that could lead to its total collapse.
In a peaceful protest at the hospital on Thursday, Dr. Olushola Baoku, the immediate past Chairman of ARD, revealed that the number of doctors at the hospital had drastically decreased from 315 to just 43. He attributed this to the hospital’s deteriorating working conditions, describing the facility as a “slave camp” under the leadership of the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr. Olatunde Alabi.
Baoku highlighted multiple issues contributing to the crisis, including the renewal of temporary contracts every two months, lack of pensions and hazard allowances, and non-functional medical equipment. He pointed out that the hospital is unable to handle emergency cases, citing the tragic death of a staff member due to power outages.
The protesting doctors are also demanding the immediate reinstatement of Dr. Jimoh Umar, their suspended president, whose removal followed his calls for urgent reforms at the hospital. Baoku alleged that despite a directive from the Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Pate, through the Permanent Secretary, Ms. Kachollom Shangti Daju, on December 12, 2024, for Dr. Umar’s reinstatement, Dr. Alabi had refused to comply with the order.
The ARD has vowed to continue their protests until their demands for reforms are addressed, urging the government to take swift action to prevent the hospital from collapsing.
