Breaking: Bello, NMA crisis get messier as doctors move to resign in Kogi

Report reaching Fresh Angle International reveals that the power tussle between Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello and the State Branch of Nigeria Medical Association, NMA over unpaid salaries and entitlements of the Medical Officers is set to get worse as over 80%of doctors working with the Kogi State Government have indicated interest to resign.

Our Kogi State Correspondent reports that the ugly development is coming on the heels of threat by the Bello administration to fire the striking doctors who are demanding the payment of their salaries and the perceived wrongful dismissal of some of their colleagues employed in 2015, which the State Government has branded politically patronized employment.

In a statement signed by the Acting Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association, NMA Kogi State Chapter, Dr. Godwin Tijani in Lokoja, the association revealed that the striking doctors had indicated intention to resign from their jobs to enable them go to where they can get better welfare.

“As I am speaking with you, the doctors are monitoring the activity of the State as it regards the no work, no pay policy government has adopted and the threat of sack if NMA failed to suspend the ongoing strike, anything otherwise the doctors will tender their resignation letter. Remember, Kogi State has one of the poorest health indices in the federation and the lowest number of doctors in the country, about 3.5% of the expected numbers. Majority of doctors in the State service have left because of poor welfare. Imagine a doctor evicted from his apartment because of his inability to pay house rent, his children sent out of school because he cannot pay school fees, trekking to work and cannot eat well and you expect to get the best from such a doctor?  You are putting innocent patients’ life at risk. A hungry and angry doctor is a dangerous doctor”. The statement reads in parts.

While referring to a recent advertorial for employment released by the State Ministry of Health, Dr. Tijani insisted that this should serve as an eye opener to those who want to apply for the advertised post, adding that those employed in 2015 are being asked to go and others threatened with sack if they failed to call off strike for unpaid salaries.

 “The Commissioner for Health sent an SMS to doctors yesterday. The SMS which was sent through the Director Administration, Hospital Management Board, HMB directed all hospitals to submit to his office attendance register on daily basis, failure to comply will lead to termination of appointment. This is the level we are now instead of looking for amicable resolution, we are being faced with sack threat and intimidation on a daily basis”. Dr .Tijani added.

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