Wednesday, January 7, 2026 - The Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, has ordered striking resident doctors to vacate their official quarters over escalating industrial dispute.
The resident doctors, who have been on strike for over one
month, appealed to Governor Hyacinth Alia to urgently intervene and resolve the
lingering crisis, warning that prolonged disruption could further weaken
healthcare delivery in the state.
Addressing journalists at the hospital, the President of the
Association of Resident Doctors, BSUTH chapter, Kawen Pededoo, said the strike
was driven by longstanding welfare challenges, particularly poor accommodation
and living conditions within the hospital premises.
In a swift response, the Chief Medical Director of BSUTH,
Dr. Stephen Hwande, issued a three-month quit notice directing the striking
doctors to vacate their residences, explaining that the move was necessary to
pave way for a major renovation exercise.
Hwande said the Alia administration is committed to
repositioning BSUTH as a one-stop medical centre that meets international
standards, but recurring industrial actions have continued to hamper progress.
He added that while some of the issues raised by the
Resident Doctors had existed for years, others were only recently brought to
the attention of hospital management.
Despite the standoff, the resident doctors acknowledged
efforts made so far by the state government and expressed optimism that
Governor Alia’s intervention would lead to a resolution of the dispute.
They stressed that a quick settlement would not only end the
strike but also fast-track the transformation of BSUTH into a world-class
health institution.
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