Following the strike action by resident doctors across Nigeria which began Monday, the Federal Government has directed the Chief Medical Directors of all federal tertiary hospitals in Lagos and other states, to “immediately” start using consultants and doctors among the current serving National Youth Service Corps, for routine operations.
The government also directed that the interim staff should “be brought in when and where necessary to forestall services’ disruption when applicable and affordable”.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, made this charge today.
Recall that the National Association of Resident Doctors began a countrywide strike, Monday, over the non-payment of their COVID-19 hazard allowance and other demands.
Ehanire said, “lt is with deep concern that l view the ongoing strike by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors which commenced yesterday (Tuesday) September 7, 2020.
“We must remember that the primary duty of doctors and all health workers is to save lives. Embarking on a strike in this time that the country is battling with the COVlD-19 pandemic is ill-timed and ill-advised.
“lt is a critical time in which all well-meaning medical professionals should close ranks and confront the common enemy, which is the COVlD-I9 pandemic threatening mankind.
“This is therefore one strike too many. Besides, most of the demands have been met and others, though, difficult, are at an advanced stage of implementation. A little patience would have made a big difference.
“The Federal Ministry of Health finds it necessary to ensure measures are put in place to mitigate the effect of this strike on the generality of our populace by directing the CMDs/MDs of our federal tertiary hospitals to immediately do the following: COVlD-19 treatment outlets should continue to function as before.
“Emergency services should continue to run as before. Routine services should be maintained with Consultants, NYSC Doctors. Locum staffers to be brought in when and where necessary to forestall services disruption when applicable and affordable.”
