Resident doctors down tools in Asaba to protest police molestation

…Police boss takes full responsibility, sues for peace

Resident doctors in Asaba, Delta state have shut down all their services in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic to protest what they called incessant molestation and harassment of doctors by the police and to press home their 4-point demand, which the state overnment must meet.

Briefing the press at the NUJ Press Centre in Asaba, the President of the Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Dr. Nwabunor Osifo said they called on their members to down tools after critically analysing police brutality against their members, especially in this period of COVID-19.

He said a member was refused passage at Okpanam while on his way to work, even after proper identification.

He stressed that when the information got to them, some of them went to the scene to resolve the matter, but in the process were brutalised and tear gassed including the state chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association ( NMA).

Therefore, the group are demanding that the police and other security agencies must henceforth, allow medical personnel free access to their places of work without molestation.

That items such as phones and other personal belongings, which the police destroyed in the process of brutalising its members should be replaced and that adequate security should be provided for medical personnel in throghout the state capital, and their safety guaranteed.

They bemoaned the paucity of protective kits for health workers as they fight COVID-19 and urged the federal and state governments to ensure their protection and safety, especially at this time.

They listed life insurance, increment in allowances and other incentives to be provided for them as obtainable for medical personnel in other countries.

Dr. Osifo maintained however, that even though the oath taking by doctors makes it impossible for them to abandon their duties in a period of emergency such as this, asserted that their lives and safety were equally important.

He said: “We are not callous, we feel for patients too. But, our safety must be guaranteed first. We are humans too. Based on this brutality of our members on the part of the police, we are declaring a total shut down.

“Though the Commissioner of Police, Hafiz Inuwa and the Delta state Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa have waded in with a view to have the issues resolved, we will continue this indefinite total shut down of all our services until our demands are met.”

Meanwhile, in a telephone conversation, the Commissioner of Police, Hafiz Inuwa confirmed the incident, but insisted he had settled the matter with the resident doctors, the NMA state chairman and chief medical director of Federal Mefical Centre, Asaba.

He wondered while the doctors should go ahead to still insist on shutting down operations after agreeing to the settlement.

Inuwa affirmed that the two male officers and a female inspector involved in the dispute have been arrested and detained.

He posited that while the officers would be queried, the female inspector would be demoted and tried.

His words: “I take full responsibility for every action of these policemen and woman. They are under me even though I cannot move into them to enforce discipline and professionalism.

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“That’s why I have taken liability for everything the resident doctors have demanded they should replace.

“But, I am surprised that even after resolving the matter for hours in my office and in the presence of the NMA vhairman and CMD of FMC, they still went ahead to brief the press and insisted on downing tools, even at this critical moment of our history.

“I will continue to sue for peace. We need the doctors at this time of COVID-19. Everybody is equally important. There must be synergy as we work to bring this pandemic under control.

“As for the command under my watch, we will continue to enforce compliance for the stay- at -home order in such a manner that should not jeopardize the confidence of the people in the police.”