By Chioma Obinna

Healthcare services at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), were on Thursday brought to a standstill following the commencement of a total and indefinite strike by medical consultants over what they described as the “victimisation” of their chairman and the government’s failure to honour agreements reached with the association.

The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), DELSUTH chapter, announced the industrial action after an emergency congress meeting, declaring an immediate suspension of all clinical services, residency training programmes, undergraduate and postgraduate lectures, and other academic and medical activities.

According to a press statement signed by the MDCAN DELSUTH Vice-Chairman, Dr. Enemuwe Ibobo Mike, and Secretary, Dr. Nwajei Ifeanyichukwu Anita, the strike was triggered by the dismissal of the association’s chairman, a move the consultants say violates agreements previously reached with authorities and disregards resolutions of the association’s Emergency General Meeting.

However, in a letter titled: “Notification of Total and Indefinite Strike Action” dated 18th of June, 2026 and addressed to the Acting Chief Medical Director of DELSUTH, the association condemned the action, describing it as “nothing but vilification and victimisation of the Chairman and the entire Association.”

The development is expected to significantly impact healthcare delivery across Delta State, with hundreds of patients likely to be affected as consultants withdraw their services indefinitely.

MDCAN said the strike would continue until the dismissal letter is withdrawn and critical issues affecting the institution are addressed. “The Association remains resolute on its demands and will not be bullied or intimidated,” the notice read.

The consultants also raised concerns over worsening conditions within the teaching hospital, citing recent power and water outages that reportedly lasted for 48 hours.

They called on DELSUTH management and the Delta State Ministry of Health to take urgent steps to restore normalcy and avert a prolonged crisis.

Among their key demands are the immediate appointment of a substantive Chief Medical Director and a functional governing board for the institution, as well as the implementation of the Revised Professional Allowances approved by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) since July 2024.
“The fulfillment of these conditions represents the minimum requirements for peaceful resolution and the suspension of the strike action,” the association declared.

The notice was also copied to the Governor, Mr. Sheriff Oborevwori, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, the Secretary to the State Government, Commissioners for Health and Higher Education, the Head of Service, the Vice Chancellor of Delta State University, Abraka, and other key stakeholders.

“The Association remains resolute on its demands and will not be bullied or intimidated. Effective immediately, the following activities are suspended indefinitely: – All clinical activities – All residency training activities – All lectures for undergraduate and postgraduate students – All other related academic and clinical activities,” the notice directed.