Abia Doctors Embark On Indefinite Strike Over Unpaid Salaries

Doctors in Abia state have gone on an indefinite strike over unpaid wages by the state government.

Both public and private hospitals in the state have reportedly been shut down over 24-month salary arrears owed doctors and other staff of the Abia State Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH); and 13 months owed their counterparts at the Health Management Board, HMB.

This is coming barely a week after the striking doctors barricaded the entrance gate to the Government House Umuahia, demanding immediate payment of the backlog of salary arrears.

Speaking to Vanguard, the State Secretary of the Nigeria Medical Association, Dr Daniel Ekeleme, said that the strike was total and indefinite.

Ekeleme who revealed that they've already received 98% compliance at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, as doctors stayed away from duty, vowed that they will sustain the measure until Government did the needful.