Following the directive by President Goodluck Jonathan that resident doctors in public institutions be terminated, the doctors have frowned at the president’s action.
Jubril Abdullah, president of the National Association of Resident Doctors, in his reaction, said the directive by the president through the Ministry of Health, is illegal.
According to him, the inappropriate decision was informed by the demand made by the Joint Health Workers Union, JOHESU.
“The action of Mr. President is illegal because there are several Acts that recognize Residencies in Nigeria and his action speaks volume of the government’s decision to follow the dictates of the Joint Health Workers Union. This is one of the issues the union is asking for.
“Whatever the government has done in their reaction to the NMA’s strike means they are not ready for dialogue because while we are engaging them, they have resorted to this,” he said.
TheNiche gathered that as a result of the termination directive, a circular ordering the 16,000 strong resident doctors to surrender all items belonging to the hospital which is in their possession.
Resident doctors, who are members of the Nigerian Medical Association, said they are ready to go all out in a showdown with the Federal Government as it is now clear the government is not committed to their welfare and demands.
The NMA is asking the FG to release a uniform template on the appointment of resident doctors and a funding framework for residency training established while overseas clinical attachment be fully restored and properly funded among other demands.
“Let’s see how this will work. Except they want to kill the teaching hospitals and the health sector in general,” a resident doctor said.