As Gombe State chapter of Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), embarked on indefinite strike yesterday, the state government said the strike action is against moral ethics of medical practice, and a demonstration of the association’s level of insensitivity to the plight of the public.
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ahmad Muhammad Gana, made the position of government on the strike action known, while briefing newsmen yesterday at the Ministry of Health.
Gana said the strike action is Ill-timed, especially at a period the global community is battling to contain the dreaded Coronavirus, while Gombe State is also trying to contain outbreaks of Lassa fever.
According to him, the state government has taken proactive measures to cushion the effect the strike action may have on the public.
He listed the palliative measures to include, senior doctors on GL 15 and above who are honorary members of the association, are not expected to go on strike, while all patients on admission at the health facilities should be retained to be managed by the senior doctors.
Gana also intimated that “a group called “Concerned Doctors Forum”, made up of over 40 doctors, have distanced themselves from the strike action, and have pledged to continue rendering essential services during the strike.”
The commissioner noted that despite the lean resources of the state, it has invested heavily in the health sector.
“It is also worth noting that most of the demands of the association are not peculiar to doctors alone, and all were problems inherited from the previous administration, some dating back more to three years.
“The government is fully aware of the concerns of the resident doctors and despite the financial constraints, has already set in machineries to holistically address the demands in both short and long terms” Gana stressed.
As a short term measure, according to the commissioner, N5.65million had been released to 13 house officers, with a view to palliating the effect of their delayed upgrade, pending the constitution of the Civil Service Commission.
Gana also told journalists that the government had also established Hospital Management Board, as well as Contributory Health Scheme, “in an effort to holistically address most of the yearnings with respect to promotions and upgrade for the entire sector, without limiting it to only doctors.”
