Striking doctors should be replaced with corps members immediately – FG
Reacting to the nationwide strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors protesting the non-payment of their COVID-19 hazard allowance and other demands the Federal Government(FG) has directed the Chief Medical Directors and Managing Directors of federal tertiary hospitals to “immediately” commence the use of consultants and doctors on the National Youth Service Corps to provide routine services.
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The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, gave the directive in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday.
Daily Times Nigeria also gathered that the government also directed that locum staffers should “be brought in when and where necessary to forestall services’ disruption when applicable and affordable”.
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 member 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.
