Amidst panic over the detection of coronavirus in the country, resident doctors of the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital has embarked on a five-day warning strike to press home their demand for an enhanced pay package.
Many residents of Enugu have criticized the timing of the strike at this time of national emergency.
The leadership of the resident doctors declined to respond to questions on the coronavirus epidemic.
But president of the Association of Resident Doctors, ARD ESUT-TH, Dr. Chima Edoga, who spoke on the strike appealed to patients to understand their plight which he said they have managed for over four years.
Edoga stated that it is the wish of the doctors to make the hospital a center of excellence, but noted that it is only when manpower is retained that the hospital could achieve the desired dream.
He said the Resident Doctors deliberated extensively on their work conditions and patient care before arriving at the difficult decision
According to them, there is a shortage of doctors in ESUT-TH as a result of the mass exodus of doctors, despite genuine efforts made by the State Government and the Management of ESUT-TH to replace them.