The Federal Government has instructed that striking doctors be replaced by corps members. This directive was made clear when management officials of tertiary hospitals all over the country were directed to employ the services of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to continue routine services in place of resident doctors.
The declaration which became necessary was made known through a statement released by the minister of health Dr Osagie Ehanire, as part of the efforts to mitigate the effect and the supposed vacuum created by the strike of resident doctors all over the country.
It’s all over the news that the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) had embarked on a national strike which was as a result of lack of payment of their COVID-19 pandemic hazard allowance and other bonuses demanded.
Dr Osagie Ehanire the minister of health, speaking on the situation, said that the doctor’s strike action was ill-timed and ill-advised especially putting into consideration what was at stake all over the world, at this particular point in time with the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The minister reiterated the importance of the Hippocratic oath, and reminded the doctors that they should never for once forget their primary oath, duty, responsibility and allegiance to save lives which for him is imperative for all health workers all over the world. He therefore added that embarking on a strike at this particular point in time, would look bad on their image and cast a negative slur on their professional status as the world is still battling with the reality of this pandemic.
He further admonished that, it is indeed imperative for all to put aside their personal or professional grievances and join hands in fighting and combating the common enemy which is the COVID-19 that is threatening humanity.
Speaking further, he said,
”This is therefore one strike too many, besides most of the demands have been met and others, though difficult, are at an advanced stage and a little patience would have indeed made a huge difference.”
In an attempt to further address the situation and absence of the resident doctors, Ehanire gave health institutions four basic guidelines to comply with.
”COVID-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 service disruptions when applicable and affordable the minister said.
”I enjoin the NARD to return to work and engage the Federal Government in completing the ongoing due process in implementation of the MOU between the NARD and the Government.
He concluded by stating that he wishes to assure the general populace that great measures have been put in place to ensure that everyone will continue to have access to health care in all the tertiary hospitals across the country.
Gift Joseph Okpakorese
Staff Writer
