The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja (FTHL), has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the hospital management to reverse the indefinite suspension of its president, Dr Jimoh Umar.
The ultimatum was issued in a communique after a hybrid emergency congress between ARD FTHL and members of National Officers Committee (NOC) of National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD-NOC), held on October 21, 2024.
The communique, which was jointly signed by the Vice President of ARD FTHL, Dr Azuka Godwin; and its General Secretary, Dr Uche Freeman, was made available to journalists on Tuesday in Lokoja.
The management of FTHL had in a letter dated October 18, 2024, suspended ARD FTHL President, Dr Jimoh Umar, for alleged misconducts by going on 3-day strike without due process, protesting and carrying placards within and outside the hospital premises without authorisation, among others.
However, ARD FTHL in the communique, rejected in its entirety the suspension of Dr Jimoh Umar, who acted purely on his capacity as the President of ARD FTHL, describing it as illegal.
The association accused the FTHL management of breaching the agreement reached at the meeting held on July 18, among ARD FTHL, NARD NOC, FTHL Mgt and the Ministry of Health, where all parties agreed that there should be no victimisation of any member.
“The ARD FTHL and NARD NOC met in a hybrid meeting to urgently review the injustice and victimisation meted on President ARD FTHL who acted strictly on the instruction of the congress according to the dictate of the Constitution of ARD FTHL.
“The ARD FTHL observed with utter dismay and condemned in its entirety the continuous victimisation of her members by the management of FTHL.
“The ARD FTHL observed with utter dismay and condemned in its entirety the continuous victimisation of her members by the management of FTHL.
“The ARD FTHL and NARD-NOC condemned the violation of all the peace pacts and olive branches extended to the management of FTHL by many well meaning Nigerians and stakeholders.
“The NARD-NOC/ARD FTHL observed with displeasure the breach of the agreement reached at the meeting held on July 18, 2024, among ARD FTHL, NARD NOC and FTHL Management, and the Ministry of Health, where all parties agreed that there must be no victimisation of any member.
“The NARD-NOC/ARD FTHL observed with rude shock the administration of PSR against the President of ARD FTHL on issues totally about Labour Union and Trade dispute act,” it stated.
The association, therefore, resolved that: “The ARD FTHL rejects in its entirety the illegal suspension of the President of ARD FTHL, who acted purely on his capacity as the President of ARD FTHL.
“The ARD FTHL resolves that the management of FTHL must reverse the suspension of its President with immediate effect.
“The ARD FTHL hereby stand down all actions to allow NARD ensures the reinstatement of ARD FTHL President within one week
“The ARD FTHL calls on the management of FTHL to abide strictly by all the resolutions of the meeting chaired by the Minister held on June 18th, 2024 at the Ministry of Health.
“The ARD FTHL hereby gives the management of FTHL 21 days Ultimatum to reverse all forms of victimisation of her members otherwise the Congress of ARD FTHL will be left with no choice than to use all constitutional and legal means to prevent further victimisation of her members.
“The ARD FTHL, hereby adjourned the Emergency Congress Meeting till Wednesday October 23, 2024 at 8am to appraise her resolutions,” the communique states.
Resident doctors reject indefinite suspension of ARD FTH Lokoja President