Residents doctors in Kaduna State embarked on an indefinite strike on Tuesday over the “sorry state” of healthcare facilities in state-owned hospitals.

Joseph Jokshan, President of the Association of Resident Doctors in the state, said that the state government refused to respond to any of the demands made by the doctors 21 days ago.

He noted that the strike action is not what the doctors want, but “unfortunately, we cannot effectively carry out these tasks in the current sorry state of our healthcare facilities”.

The doctors listed their grievances to include poor funding, equipping and staffing of hospitals, non-provision of living environment for medical health workers and patients, immediate implementation of already approved funding for residency training of doctors in their chosen fields, and due but unimplemented promotion of doctors.

In addition, Jokshan said members of the association were demanding the payment of House Officers’ salaries and arrears, and immediate and full implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).

He urged the general public to bear with them and join them in the struggle so that it would yield positive and quick response from the government.

“This is the struggle we intend to see through to the end, not because we are unaware of the implication of this action but because we are left with no other option,” he said.