Strike: TUC frowns at use of casual doctors, interns

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has said it considers as “reckless” the recent statement credited to the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, the engagement of casual doctors, and interns to fill the void caused by the strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors.   The minister has directed chief medical directors […]

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has said it considers as “reckless” the recent statement credited to the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, the engagement of casual doctors, and interns to fill the void caused by the strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors.  

The minister has directed chief medical directors and medical directors of federal hospitals to immediately engage the services of casual doctors to take the place of striking National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD). 

The Congress said it felt sad that at a time that nations were building strong health sectors ‘the giant of Africa’ sees engagement of casual workers as remedy to the challenge of the health sector, adding that the best of Nigerian doctors are abroad doing great job. 

“They left this country because of some of the issues that led to the present strike. In other climes issues that border on health are not treated with kid gloves, because lives are involved. But the reverse is the case in Nigeria,” TUC said in a statement jointly signed by the president, Bobboi Bala Kaigama and Secretary General, Musa-Lawal Ozigi. 

The union noted that asking consultants to work overtime while negotiations continue with NARD was dangerous. 

“How do you persuade a medical doctor that is fagged out to perform a surgery? We are going through enough pains already, trading lives for government’s complacency is most unreasonable. 

“The minister should realise that the hospitals they patronise abroad are not manned by casual doctors,” the union said.