“As students, we did most of our clinical exams at a private hospital because the state hospital was always on strike”, says a student who studied at Abia State University Teaching Hospital, ABSUTH Aba.
ABSUTH is currently on another strike.
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of ABSUTH Aba, shut down operations at the state’s apex health institution for twenty two months unpaid salaries.
The action followed expiration of warning strike issued by JAC to Abia Government via a letter dated Oct. 20, and acknowledged by the government.
Mr Samuel Kalu, the Chairman of JAC, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Wednesday in Aba, that organised labour in ABSUTH resolved to embark on the strike as government did not meet their demands.
JAC demands the state government to pay up the 22 months salary arrears owed to staff.
The union also reminded the government that for the past seven years, no pensioner in ABSUTH had been paid a dime.
While the health institution is on strike, below is pictures showing the dilapidated state of the ABSUTH.
Pic 1- The main building that’s only retouched with paints during accreditation.
Pic 2– Reception filled with old papers
Pic 3- Patient waiting bay
Pic 4– Plaque that shows the hospital was opened in 2007 by the then state governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu.
Pic 5- Door that leads to the children’s emergency.
Pic 6– The ceilings are all pulling out.
Pic 7- The walls are soaked and their remedy is cover with paint during accreditation.
Pic 8- Toilet in a state teaching hospital.
Pic 9- ABSUTH is an eyesore.
Pic 10- A medical ward in ABSUTH.
NEPA reportedly disconnected electricity from ABSUTH for close to a year because of unpaid NEPA bills.
Meanwhile, because of the frequent strike, Students end up spending extra years in school.
Picture credit: Twitter/@Sports_Doctor2
