Resident Doctors at Uyo Teaching Hospital Begin Seven-Day Warning Strike

Resident doctors at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Akwa Ibom State, have declared a seven-day warning strike over unresolved welfare and salary issues with the hospital management.

The industrial action, which began on Monday, October 6, 2025, followed an emergency general meeting of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), UUTH chapter.

In a communiqué issued after the meeting and made available to journalists in Uyo on Wednesday, the association said the strike became unavoidable after several appeals to management failed to produce results.

The communiqué was jointly signed by the ARD President, Dr. Promise Jacob, and General Secretary, Dr. Enam-Eti Akpan.

“Despite numerous engagements and written reminders to management, our demands have not been met. This action is therefore taken in good faith to draw attention to our legitimate grievances,” the statement read in part.

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The association outlined several key demands, including the implementation of the correct Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) entry level for newly employed resident doctors and the reissuance of appointment letters to reflect the adjusted level.

They also demanded the payment of outstanding salary arrears and shortfalls owed to some residents since 2023, and the upgrade of members to their proper grade levels with corresponding arrears.

The communiqué added, “The three members affected by failed biometric capture should be immediately paid via the GIFMIS platform pending correction on the IPPIS platform.
Payment of salary arrears owed to the 2023 batch of employed residents must also be effected without delay.”

The doctors further called for the urgent employment of additional resident doctors across all departments to address the manpower shortage and reduce workplace burnout.

They also urged the hospital management to renovate and properly maintain the House Officers’ Quarters and Call Rooms, describing the current state of the facilities as “unbefitting and demoralising.”

The association said an Emergency General Meeting would be convened after the expiration of the warning strike to review management’s response and determine the next line of action.

“We remain committed to providing quality healthcare to Akwa Ibom residents, but our welfare must not continue to be neglected. At the end of this warning strike, we will reassess the situation and decide on further steps,” ARD stated.