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Tag: doctors

  • DSS speaks on dispersal of doctors participating in Saudi gov’t recruitment exercise

    DSS speaks on dispersal of doctors participating in Saudi gov’t recruitment exercise

    The Department of State Security Services, DSS, has denied dispersing medical doctors participating in a recruitment interview organised by Saudi Arabia officials in Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.

    TheNewsGuru. com (TNG) had last Tuesday reported the massive recruitment exercise held in Abuja by the Saudi Arabia government.

    A media report had claimed that DSS operatives stormed the hotel on Thursday morning and dispersed the doctors and journalists, who gathered at the venue.

    The report also alleged that a journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, Marcus Fatunde, was arrested at the venue but was later released.

    The recruitment interview was organised by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health.

    But the secret agency, in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunaya on Friday, said no operation was carried out in the hotel, adding that the report was designed to embarrass the organisation.

    He said: “The attention of the DSS has once again been drawn to a falsehood being circulated in the media that it dispersed doctors attending a Saudi Arabia organised job interview at the Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, yesterday 26th August, 2021.”

    “Though this is illogical and does not add up, sections of the media that reported it did not care to verify the news before going to print. No further evidence was also adduced to prove that the DSS carried out such an operation at the hotel. It is obvious that the news is only designed to embarrass the Organisation.”

    “Journalists and other media practitioners are enjoined to crosscheck their facts and ensure that they do not use their platforms to mislead the public or undermine national security.”

  • Crisis: Plateau doctors raise alarm, say hospitals, mortuaries overwhelmed with injured, corpses

    Crisis: Plateau doctors raise alarm, say hospitals, mortuaries overwhelmed with injured, corpses

    Plateau branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on Thursday raised the alarm over the surging corpses in mortuaries and injured in hospitals across the state.

    It said it is saddened and disillusioned by the persistent and vicious killings in the State, pointing out they were exerting great toll on the physical and psychological wellbeing of the masses across the state.

    These were contained in a statement signed by Dr. Innocent Emmanuel, chairman and Dr. Bapiga’an William, the Secretary of NMA in Jos.

    The body expressed deep concerns, stressing the victims of these unwarranted attacks continue to “populate hospitals’ emergency wards and mortuaries in the state.”

    Parts of the statement read: “Innocent, armless, accommodating and committed citizens of Plateau State have continued to live under the perennial unsavoury reality of perpetual terrorism manifesting as kidnappings for ransom, rape, maiming and killings as well as threats of total annihilation.

    “On a daily basis, people are kidnapped from their houses and living with the fear that same will happen the next day elsewhere or in their neighbourhood unabatedly, with huge sums paid as ransom.

    “These worrisome and sad turn of events is severely bleeding the resources of the people and ultimately wrecking the economy of the state in general, resulting in further increase in the sufferings that have characterized the life of ordinary citizens who abinitio have mostly been living below ,at or only slightly above the poverty line.

    “People face the brazen reality of being attacked, injured and or murdered in cold blood while their homes, farmlands and means of livelihoods are completely destroyed with no end in sight to these hostilities.”

    Plateau NMA called on security agencies to improve their performances so the killings can stop immediately.

    “A society that abhors justice is only opening her doors to anarchy and lawlessness.

    “Justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done for all sorts and shades of criminality because this is the only way that sustainable peace can actually be achieved.

    “The evil perpetrators of these heinous crimes cannot continue to remain “unknown gunmen” for close to two decades now.

    “The security agencies should as a matter of urgency, do more to restore the confidence of the exasperated public so that reliable intelligence is made available to them, which they should act swiftly upon.

    “We enjoin the security forces and Government to genuinely commit to doing more to prevent further incidences rather than taking reactive approaches on issues that a little more mindfulness, sincerity and commitment could nip in the bud.”

  • Strike: Resident doctors refuse signing new MoU with FG after six-hour meeting

    Strike: Resident doctors refuse signing new MoU with FG after six-hour meeting

    The leadership of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has refused assent to a new memorandum of understanding brokered by the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) to end the three weeks old strike that has crippled medical services in government hospitals across the country.

    NARD President, Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, declined his assent owing to an undisclosed clause.

    According to Okhuaihesuyi, NARD’s leadership has to consult with members of the association before he appends his signature.

    Addressing journalists after the over six hours closed-door meeting, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, said all other unions in the negotiation, including the Nigeria Medical Association and the Medical and Dental Consultants of Nigeria, signed the new agreement, having agreed on all the issues raised.

    Meanwhile, the minister also clarified that the meeting did not discuss the issues of ‘no work, no pay,’ but said all parties at the meeting agreed to an out-of-court settlement.

    The Federal Government had taken the striking doctors to court last week, as it asked the National Industrial Court to mandate the doctors to return to work.

    The hearing on the case was adjourned to September 15.

  • SERAP to Buhari: Redirect N4.8bn to monitor WhatsApp calls to pay doctors’ salaries

    SERAP to Buhari: Redirect N4.8bn to monitor WhatsApp calls to pay doctors’ salaries

    Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari “to urgently redirect the proposed spending of N4.8bn of public money to monitor WhatsApp messages, phone calls, and text messages of Nigerians and other people, to pay some of the salaries of striking resident doctors, improve their benefits, as well as improve public healthcare facilities for the sake of poor Nigerians who rely on those facilities, and have nowhere else to turn.”

     

    SERAP said: “We also urge you to send to the National Assembly a fresh supplementary appropriation bill, which reflects the redirected budget, for its approval.”

     

    In the open letter dated 14 August, 2021, and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: “Redirecting the proposed spending of N4.8bn would be entirely consistent with your constitutional oath of office, and the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended], as it would promote efficient, honest, and legal spending of public money.”

     

    According to SERAP, “Redirecting the proposed spending of N4.8bn would also remove the threats to fundamental human rights of Nigerians, and ensure access to quality healthcare for the socially and economically vulnerable people who rely on public hospitals, and have no opportunity for medical treatment elsewhere.”

     

    The letter, read in part: “Any appropriation law ought to comply with the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international human rights obligations and commitments.”

     

    “The constitutional oath of office implicitly provides some safeguards on the appropriation and spending of public funds, and imposes a legally binding obligation on public officers to preserve the public money, and not to disburse it except conformably to the Constitution.”

     

    “SERAP believes that any proposed spending of public funds should stay within the limits of constitutional responsibilities, and oath of office by public officers, as well as comply with Chapter 2 of the Nigerian Constitution relating to fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy.”

     

    “The mere threat of mass surveillance, even when secret, coupled with the lack of remedy, can constitute an interference with human rights, including the rights to privacy, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.”

     

    “The proposed spending of N4.8bn of public funds as contained in the Supplementary Appropriation Act, which you signed last month would give rise to serious violations of the human rights of Nigerians and other people, as it would grant free rein to government agencies to conduct mass surveillance of communications of people.”

     

    “The proposed spending also fails to meet the requirements of public interests, legality, necessity, and proportionality. Additionally, the lack of any safeguards against discriminatory decision-making, and access to an effective remedy shows the grave threats it poses to constitutionally and internationally recognized human rights.”

     

    “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”

     

    “SERAP is concerned that the proposed spending to monitor WhatsApp messages, phone calls, and text messages of Nigerians and other people is inconsistent and incompatible with the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international human rights obligations.”

     

    “Specifically, Section 37 of the Nigerian Constitution, and Article 17 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the country is a state party provide for the right to freedom from arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy and correspondence, communications and private data.”

     

    “Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 19 of the Covenant also protect everyone’s right to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers and through any media.”

     

    “SERAP wishes to stress your government’s obligations under article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and article 13 of the UN Convention against Corruption both of which Nigeria has ratified.”

     

    “Similarly, the UN General Assembly has condemned unlawful or arbitrary surveillance and interception of communications as ‘highly intrusive acts’ that interfere with fundamental human rights (see General Assembly resolutions 68/167 and 71/199).”

     

    “SERAP is concerned that the powers to conduct arbitrary, abusive or unlawful surveillance of communications may also be used to target political figures and activists, journalists and others in the discharge of their lawful activities, especially given the growing repression of civic space, suspension of Twitter, and attacks on freedom of expression and media freedom in the country.”

     

    “Privacy and expression are intertwined in the digital age, with online privacy serving as a gateway to secure exercise of the freedom of opinion and expression. Therefore, targets of surveillance would suffer interference with their rights to privacy and freedom of opinion and expression whether the effort to monitor is successful or not.”

     

    “Interference with privacy through targeted surveillance is designed to repress the exercise of the right to freedom of expression.”

     

    “Surveillance of journalists, activists, opposition figures, critics and others simply exercising their right to freedom of expression – would lead to violations of other human rights such as the rights to liberty and freedom from torture and other ill-treatment.”

     

    “Targeted surveillance creates incentives for self-censorship and directly undermines the ability of journalists and human rights defenders to conduct investigations and build and maintain relationships with sources of information.”

     

    “SERAP is concerned about the failure by your government to resolve the strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) over pay, insurance benefits and poor facilities, and its effects on poor Nigerians, especially as the country faces a third wave of coronavirus.”

    “According to our information, in July, 2021, you reportedly signed the 2021 supplementary appropriation bill of N983 billion into law. Of the amount, N4.8bn (N4,870,350,000) was allocated to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to monitor WhatsApp messages, phone calls, and text messages of Nigerians and other people.”

     

    “Of the figure, N1.93 billion was earmarked for ‘WhatsApp Intercept Solution’ and N2.93 billion for ‘Thuraya Interception Solution’ – a communications system used for monitoring voice calls or call-related information, SMS, data traffic, among others.”

     

    The letter was copied to Mr Abukabar Malami, SAN, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; and Mrs Zainab AhmedMinister of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

     

  • Stop playing God – Ngige tells Nigerian striking doctors

    Stop playing God – Ngige tells Nigerian striking doctors

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, has advised doctors in the country to be humble and carry themselves with dignity, rather than ‘play God or compete with God’.

    Ngige gave the advice while speaking at the 2nd Summit of Medical Elders Forum (MEF) on Thursday, in Abuja.

    The forum, organized by the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), in collaboration with 50 forward, had as its theme, “Medical Profession: a Look into the Past, Present and Future.”

    Nigige expressed his concerns over the state of health nationwide and opined that the medical profession was in danger.

    “At no time in the history of NMA and the medical association, was I seeing our association and our profession ever being in danger, as I am seeing them now.

    “Many people will not see it, but from where I am sitting and standing, I can see danger ahead.

    “We are one of the oldest professions on earth, metamorphosing from natural and traditional healers to take away pain from people and consequentially save lives.

    “We don’t create lives, God creates, we only preserve people’s lives through the act of God. In doing so, God has given us some powers and those powers are near his own to create.

    “But, there is something God does not want, God does not want when he gives you powers you use it to try to say that you are like him or you are competing with him.

    “God loves you to do that which he has asked you to do; to use that power with humility.

    “Doctors should ask themselves questions; why is it that it’s when your colleagues are in government that you go on the greatest number of strikes?

    “Some of these colleagues were Presidents, Secretary-Generals of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and even NARD,” Ngige asked?

    According to him, Dr Onyebuchi Chukwu and Dr Isaac Adewole have had to face plenty strikes. And since our government came on board, I have consolidated four strikes; something is wrong.

    “We need to ask ourselves some questions and be straightforward with the answers

    “We must start by telling ourselves the truth. You say they dislike doctors, what did you do for them to dislike you?

    “Yes, there is peer envy; yes, some wanted to study medicine and they couldn’t; we know it and if you know it, you carry yourself with dignity and humility,” he added.

    Earlier, NMA’s President, Prof. Innocent Ujah, had said a good number of people within and outside the health sector were envious of doctors, without appreciating the tedious academic process of becoming a doctor.

    “Everybody is envious of the doctor, what is the problem? What have we done? Is it a sin to be intelligent? By the way, we are the most intelligent,” he stated.

    Ujah, who raised concerns over the release of some circulars by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) and the National Universities Commission (NUC), stated that they were contradictory.

    He explained that such contradictions formed part of the reasons behind the disharmony in the nation’s health sector.

    “A circular from the Salaries and Wages Commission is coming out that no more CONMESS for doctors, who are lecturers.

    “But, it is there as a circular, so why is the doctor singled out?

    In Lagos state university, a doctor with fellowship cannot contest the Vice Chancellorship

    “Without a PhD you can’t teach at the clinical level, you can only teach biochemistry or physiology: and you are saying that the best can no longer be a Vice Chancellor.

    “He can become a professor but he can’t become a Vice Chancellor, what kind of contradiction is that?

    “We have written from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to tell them to stop that, if they don’t, we will challenge it, because we cannot take what we are seeing.

    “Some circulars from the NUC are quite contradictory and we need to sort them frontally and you can see the dismemberment.

    “These are the things that cause problems for us. When we try to solve some of these issues other issues crop up.

    “We need support from our elders; people value us but we don’t value ourselves. We should be able to resolve our conflicts and those who are in government should know that they are doctors, you will come back to us,” he said.

    The Executive Director, AHBN, Dr Aminu Magashi, noted that for the health system of any country to deliver quality health care services to the population they serve, there must be strong political leadership commitment and effective health system governance.

    Magashi said others are adequate healthcare financing, human resources for health, effective regulation and legislation, and strong private health sectors.

    He added that the medical and dental profession was critical and key to the socioeconomic and political growth and development of any nation, including Nigeria.

    “The profession, which is driven largely through the Nigerian Medical Association and its affiliate bodies, has been a major pivot for repositioning and advancing the profession.

    He, however, lamented that “the effort of various governments to translate the association’s laudable recommendations for the growth, development and good of the profession, the health system and the Nigerian people, had been less than satisfactory.

    “An association like the NMA, serves as a watchdog of government and through constructive engagement with the government, help to deliver quality and smooth health care delivery to the Nigerian population,” he explained.

    Magashi said both should work as committed partners for progressive developments rather than as antagonists.

  • Meeting with FG a joke, strike continues – Doctors

    Meeting with FG a joke, strike continues – Doctors

    The meeting between the Ministry of Health and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) ended without any hope of ending the doctors’ strike.

    NARD President Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi said the government was not serious about addressing the association’s demands.

    He said: “The meeting was very short. They felt we did not keep to the time – that we came at 12 noon. We had to remind the Director of Hospital Services at the Ministry that the estimated time was 12 noon and we came in a few minutes before 12.

    “She told us that they have some marching orders from the Minister, House of Representatives and the Senate on how to make things work, that they are only to hear from us. So I kept quiet and allowed my Secretary to speak with her, she said thank you and we said thank you, and she said they have another meeting by 1 pm. That was how we left.

    “Nothing happened. The meeting was just a joke. She was telling me that if it was not for anything she would not have allowed me to enter her office. I also told her that there was nothing I would want to come to do in her office if not for the meeting. I believe when people start taking things personally like you have a personal interest, then it becomes quite strange.”

    He further explained that in previous meetings, the government stated that those on the GIFMIS platform would not be included in the IPPIS platform until they were verified.

    “But in all, we move on and continue with the struggle. We are always open to ways to make our health sector better because it is a stakeholder thing and not a personal fight.

    “We had a meeting with the National Assembly two days ago and yesterday. They told us they were speaking with some people. I know they met with some Ministers and also with some Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) today. We do not have any other engagement for now.

    “The government said the affected doctors have to ask for a waiver before they are reconsidered to be captured at IPPIS. All these take time before they are paid. So how do I go to my members and tell them they have to be verified again?

  • State governments not us responsible for most of your demands, FG tells striking doctors

    State governments not us responsible for most of your demands, FG tells striking doctors

    The Federal Government has asked striking resident doctors to resume work as most of the issues they have raised are state affairs.

    Minister of Health Dr Osagie Ehanire told journalists in Abuja on Thursday that seven of 12 matters that were raised by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), were the responsibility of state governments.

    Consequently, he expects the resident doctors to resume work on Friday and take up these issues with the state governments rather than embark on the nationwide strike as they had done.

    This is more so, according to him, because the Federal Government has started addressing the five issues it is responsible for.

    Resident doctors in Nigerian public hospitals started a nationwide strike on Monday, for several reasons including delays in the payment of their salaries and allowances.

    The strike coincided with a spike in COVID-19 cases in the country, leaving many worried that it could have serious consequences for the battle against the third wave of the pandemic.

    Dr Ehanire shared the concerns in his briefing on Thursday, telling journalists that the industrial action was crippling the government’s efforts in tackling the resurgence of the pandemic.

    Defending his position on the strike and the call on the doctors to resume, the minister said the Nigerian Constitution clearly spelt out the responsibilities of all the tiers of government.

    Resident doctors cannot hold the Federal Government to ransom on issues related to states governments, he said.

    As far as the minister is concerned, resident doctors employed by the Federal Government had no basis for joining the strike in the first case. This, he explained, is because they are not being owed.

    The doctors had insisted that they had no choice but to opt for the strike at the start of the action.

    They argued that the government never hold talks with them until they take drastic action.

    “Usually there is no negotiation done until we go on a strike,” said the President of the Association of Resident Doctors at the National Hospital in Abuja, Dr Akanimo Ebong on Monday.

    The resident doctors had gone on strike earlier this year, suspending the action after 10 days on April 10.

    They are unhappy with what happened after that.

    “We never called it (the strike) off, we only suspended it to give time for negotiations. But since we called off the strike on April 10, barely anything has been done,” Dr Ebong said.

    The latest strike followed a meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of NARD in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.

    Issues raised by the medical practitioners include the immediate payment of all salaries owed to all house officers, including March salaries (regardless of quota system) before the end of business on March 31.

    They are also asking for an upward review of the hazard allowance to 50 per cent of consolidated basic salaries of all health workers and payment of the outstanding COVID-19 inducement allowance, especially in state-owned-tertiary institutions.

  • Court stops Finance Minister, others from slashing salaries of medical doctors in academics

    Court stops Finance Minister, others from slashing salaries of medical doctors in academics

    The National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Minister of Finance, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, from reviewing downward the salaries and allowances of members of the Association of Specialist Medical Doctors in Academics (ASMEDA).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the claimants; Dr Christopher Sakpa, Dr Momoh Mcsionel, Dr Ahmed Rabiu and Dr Darlington Akukwu had, for themselves and on behalf of the affected members of ASMEDA.

    The Defendants are the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission; Accountant-General of the Federation and Minister of Finance to court as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively.

    Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae, in a ruling on an ex-parte motion moved by counsel to the claimants, Martin Agba, held that the order of interim injunction would subsist pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

    Justice Obaseki-Osaghae restrained all the defendants from acting on the contents of the April 22, the letter issued by the salaries commission, pending the determination of the suit.

    She also made “an order of interim injunction, restraining the defendants from paying the claimants’ July 2021 salary and subsequent months’ salaries based on the CONUASS and associated allowances pending the determination of the motion on notice.

    “A mandatory order of interim injunction on the defendants to pay the claimants’ July 2021 salary and subsequent months’ salaries based on the CONMESS and associated allowances as approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria on Sept. 29, 2009 which is the status quo as at April 2021, pending the determination of the motion on notice.”

    The judge, who ordered that the originating processes, motion on notice together with hearing notices be served on the defendants, adjourned the matter until Oct. 14 for hearing of the motion on notice.

    NAN reports that in a motion on notice marked: NICN/ABJ/145/2021 dated July 8 and filed July 12 by Agba, the applicants sought some claims against the defendants.

    They asked the court to declare that: “the commission’s letter of April 22, to the Accountant General with reference number: SWC/S/04/S.410/T/86 directing enrolment of the claimants into the Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS) and associated allowances is a violation of the presidential directive of Sept. 29, 2009.

    They argued that the Federal Government approved and placed the claimants on the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and associated allowances and therefore has no legal basis, is null and void and of no effect whatsoever, should be discountenanced and_ retracted forthwith.

    They also sought an order of mandatory injunction, directing the defendants to restore the claimants to the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and associated allowances as approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria on Sept. 29, 2009 and with which the claimants have previously for long been paid their salaries until April 2021.

    They further sought an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the defendants from using, giving effect, making reference to or in any way acting on the contents of the said letter of April 22.

    They also sought for an order of the court, directing the defendants to pay the differential sum in salaries between CONMESS and associated allowances and CONUASS // paid to the claimants from May 2021 until date of delivery of final judgment in this suit.”

    The claimants, who sought the order of the court, directing the defendants to pay the sum of N50 million to them as general and exemplary damages for deliberate breach of extant policy of a government by their stoppage of payment of CONMESS and associated allowances, also prayed the court to direct them to pay N3 million as cost of the legal action.

    NAN reports that the Federal Government had, on Sept. 29, 2009, in a circular with reference number: SWC/S/04/S.410/220, approved the new salary structure for medical and dental officers in the federal public service known as CONMESS.

    However, in a letter with reference number: SWC/S/04/S.410/T/86 dated April 22, addressed to the Accountant-General of the Federation and signed by the acting Director, Compensation, Adighiogu Chiadi, on behalf of its chairman, the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission directed that medical doctors in academics and research institutions should be re-enrolled on CONUASS.

    The claimants averred that since the latest directive took effect, their take-home pay had reduced drastically by about 60 per cent.

  • Join doctors’ strike, get reposted without pay, MDCN tells house officers

    Join doctors’ strike, get reposted without pay, MDCN tells house officers

    The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria on Monday threatened house officers of hospitals who join the strike initiated by the National Association of Resident Doctors.

    The council’s position was contained in a statement by its Registrar, Dr. T.A.B Sanusi, titled “Press release on professional ethics for house officers.”

    It threatened that house officers who embark on strike will suffer a reposting with no remuneration.

    The statement reads in part, “The attention of the council has been drawn to the news of the industrial strike announced by the National Association of Resident Doctors and it is in the light of this that council is constrained to issue this public notice as guidance to practitioners and the general public.

    “Medical and dental practitioners on the provisional register who are employed as house officers, heads of health institutions where housemanship training for medical or dental graduates are conducted and the general public should note the provisions of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act in Sections 1(2c), 8, 11, 12, the Rules and Guidelines that flow therefrom including the Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria (2008 Ed) and Guidelines on Registration.

    “Provisional registration is for the purpose of enabling young doctors undertake housemanship training in approved hospitals under the supervision of registered specialists.

    “Provisional registration lapses after two years or immediately a doctor is signed off from housemanship. Generally, it is expected that on employment, house officers should complete their postings within 12 calendar months.

    “During the housemanship, doctors and dentists are required to undertake 12 weeks’ uninterrupted postings in each of Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Paediatrics and other relevant specialties for dentistry.

    “Any interruption for any reason, including embarking on strike actions, during any of the postings, will not be condoned, and should be reported immediately to the Chief Medical Director, Medical Director or Medical Superintendent of the housemanship of the institution.

    “Section 2d paragraph (iii) of Guidelines on Registration (2003 ed.) prescribes that ‘A supervising doctor who fails in his duties in this regard is liable to proceedings being commenced against him at the Disciplinary Organs of Council if his misdeed in the matter is brought to the notice of Council.’

    “Embarking on strike actions by house officers will lead to repeat of the posting(s) afresh without remuneration. House officers are therefore advised to avoid participation in activities like industrial actions that could lead to interruption in their postings.”

     

  • General Hospital invasion: Zamfara doctors give government two-week ultimatum to tackle insecurity

    General Hospital invasion: Zamfara doctors give government two-week ultimatum to tackle insecurity

    The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in Zamfara has given the state government a two-week ultimatum to urgently address rising insecurity.

    NMA issued the warning on Saturday after its State Emergency Executive council meeting in Gusau, the state capital.

    He said should the government fail to address the security challenges in the state, medical workers would shut all health facilities by 6 pm daily.

    This followed the invasion of General Hospital in Dansadau Emirate, Maru Local Government Area of the state by suspected bandits, leading to the abduction of a ward attendant and patient’s relative last Friday.

    Chairman of the association, Dr. Mannir Bature said the report he got was that the bandits were specifically looking for doctors and nurses in the hospital, lamenting that it was worrisome for medical practitioners in the state.

    He asked the government to work with security agencies to provide adequate and special security to secure all health facilities and to protect healthcare workers across the state to enable them to carry out their constitutional duties without fear of being attacked by bandits.

    The NMA boss also asked security agencies to boost intelligence gathering with a view to taming the activities of bandit’s informants within the communities, which he believes are responsible for the escalating security challenges in the state.