By Asma’u Ahmad
The staffs of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) has begun an indefinite strike following the non-payment of their six-month salaries by the state government.
It was reported that the workers, including medical and paramedical staff, as well as administrative workers, barricaded the hospital entrance.
Newsmen report that the striking workers also locked out the Chief Medical Officer of the hospital, Dr. Chucks Kamalu.
The Secretary of Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Allied Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), ABSUTH Chapter, Mr. Samuel Kalu said the strike would be total, until they received their salaries.
Addressing the workers at the ABSUTH, Aba campus, Mr. Kalu expressed dismay over the non-payment of the salaries.
A staff of the Works Department in the hospital, Mr. Uchechukwu Uche, told newsmen that they had not received salaries since June.
Mr. Uche wondered how they would spend the yuletide without money, adding that some of the workers were being ejected due to non-payment
of their house rent.
“Last week, some commissioners came here and told us that they were going to pay us two months salaries but the week ended and we did not see anything. Our families are in disarray because of financial challenges,” he said.
