Following the attack by suspected hoodlums who stormed the premises of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) Ado Ekiti and attacked some health workers on duty over the death of their relative patient, the workers have declared indefinite strike.
Due to the attack, activities at the tertiary hospital have been paralysed due to the emergency and indefinite strike declared by labour unions at the hospital.
The attackers who vandalised property at the Accident and Emergency Ward of the facility were said to have carried out the attack over alleged negligence of the health which they believed led to the death of their father who was admitted to the ward two days ago.
It was, however, gathered that the condition of the deceased had already deteriorated when he was brought to the hospital but the health workers tried their best to salvage his situation.
The state chairman, Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) Mr. Femi Ajoloko while addressing the health workers said their lives were in danger due to incessant attacks on them by families of patients.
Ajoloko announced that the strike would not be called off until EKSUTH management and Ekiti State Government guaranteed their security at the facility.
Other labour leaders who spoke lamented shortage of medical personnel in the hospital and called on the government to do the needful.
A source close to the hospital said, “The son of a patient who died in the hospital this morning ( Monday Jan 15) accused health workers on duty of negligence and incompetence which led to the death of his father, thereby destroying property at the hospital and also injured himself in the process.
“The man, joined by his family and some transporter, chased away all the health workers and took away the corpse without paying any medical bill.”
Reacting, the health institution spokesperson, Rolake Adewumi who confirmed the attack said the matter has been reported to the police and they have launched manhunts for the perpetrators.