Following unresolved face off between the Kogi State government and the striking medical doctors in the state civil service, there are indications that no fewer than 80 percent of the doctors are set to resign their appointments and seek greener pasture elsewhere.
The doctors had embarked on strike over nonpayment of their salaries even as they expressed deep disappointment on the outcome of the screening exercise which saw more than 30 of their members dismissed.
The acting chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Kogi State chapter, Dr. Godwin Tijani, in a statement, confirmed that the striking doctors had indicated their readiness to resign.
“As I am speaking with you, the doctors are monitoring the activity of the state as it regards the no work no pay policy government has adopted and the threat of sack if NMA failed to suspend the ongoing strike, anything otherwise the doctors will tender their resignation letter. “Remember, Kogi State has one of the poorest health indices in the federation and the lowest numbers of doctors in the country about 3.5% of the expected numbers. Majority of doctors in the state service have left because of poor welfare. “Imagine a doctor evicted from his apartment because of his inability to pay house rent, his children sent out of school because he cannot pay school fees, trekking to work and cannot eat well and you expect to get the best from such a doctor? You are putting innocent patients’ life at risk. A hungry and angry doctor is a dangerous doctor.”
The NMA acting chairman called on stakeholders to appeal to the state government to pay doctors their salaries rather than constantly threatening them.
He pointed out that they are demanding for the payment of their salaries and reinstatement of their 2015 colleagues.
“The Commissioner for Health sent an SMS to doctors yesterday. The SMS which was sent through the Director Administration Hospital Management Board (HMB) directed all hospitals to submit to his office attendance register on daily basis, failure to comply will lead to termination of appointment.
“This is the level we are now instead of looking for amicable resolution; we are being faced with sack threat and intimidation on a daily basis.” [myad]
