NARD’s Strike: Families evacuate patients as Abuja doctors desert hospitals

The strike declared Wednesday, by the national leadership of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, has  taken a heavy toll on patients in all public hospitals in Abuja as doctors continue to stay away from duties in full compliance with the directive of their association.

Vanguard reports that most patients at Nyanya General Hospital Abuja, who were on admission in the hospital before the strike was declared, have been moved out to some private medical facilities around by their families just as those who came to the hospital on Thursday for medical attention, could not be attended to due to absence of doctors on ground.

The hospital’s male, female and children’s wards visited were left with few patients as most of them were said to have been moved out to alternative private medical facilities by their families.

A staff of the hospital who spoke to Vanguard in confidence on Thursday, said families of most of the patients were moving them out following the strike by resident doctors. He, however, said some consultants  in the facility were attending to some patients.

“Since yesterday (Wednesday), resident doctors have not been coming around following the strike declared by their association. Some came very early to pick some of their items left behind the previous day and left. Patients have been on their own. Some families have moved their people out while some patients still behind are being attended to by our consultants here,” he said.

The Chief Medical Director of the hospital was not around at the time of the visit.

It was not a different situation at the National Hospital Abuja, as resident doctors in the hospital stayed away in compliance with NARD’s directive.

Most of the hospital wards visited were seen with just few patients left. Although most people approached declined comments, it was gathered that some patients have relocated to private medical facilities in town. 

The hospital ‘s outpatient unit was seen completely deserted. 

The hospital’s Director of Public Relations, Dr Tayo Haastrup, said the management of the hospital was doing its best to provide services to patients in the absence of resident doctors, who he noted, had stayed away from work in strict adherence to NARD’s directive.

According to him, the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, CMD, Mahmud Raji, met with heads of departments and directed  that consultants, house officers and corps members to provide services to the stranded patients.

He said the action of NARD has been very effective as resident doctors fully obeyed.

• Vanguard