Halt on going doctors’ strike

Nigeria can’t afford another health crisis after the setback occasioned by COVID-19. Indeed, any country that doesn’t give priority to health at this time is heading for a crisis in the near future. As a matter of urgency, the demand made by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) must be met immediately so as […]

Nigeria can’t afford another health crisis after the setback occasioned by COVID-19. Indeed, any country that doesn’t give priority to health at this time is heading for a crisis in the near future.

As a matter of urgency, the demand made by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) must be met immediately so as to stave off any impending crisis that might be catastrophic to the country’s health sector.

Already, there are reports of patients being left stranded because there are no doctors to attend to them. In other reports, some patients were said to have been hurriedly discharged and sadly ordered to leave the hospitals premises even while still under-going treatment.  At a time the country is fighting a global pandemic with its negative effects on the country’s economy as indeed every social stratum of the country, the latest strike must be seen as troubling and unfortunate.

The wonder of course is why the government is perennially unable to fulfill promises made to the workers in various organisations. Meanwhile, the same government goes ahead to give priorities to other issues that are relatively less important, leaving those pressing demands touching on public health –so vital to citizens well-being and existence – unattended to. It is needless to state that the neglect of the health sector is tantamount to putting the lives of citizens in jeopardy.

The government shouldn’t in anyway joke with emoluments, hazard allowances and medical training fees of its workers. Giving much attention to the aforementioned would boost the morale of the workers; it will translate into positive outcomes which can only be to the advantage of the country as a whole.

I, therefore, appeal to the government to settle the demands of the resident doctors and also to give more attention to the upgrading of existing hospitals to meet domestic needs and attract medical tourism to the country.

 

Tajuddeen Ahmad Tijjani, Galadima Mahmud Street, Kasuwar-kaji Azare, Bauchi State.