Bello threatens striking Kogi doctors with sack

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has threatened to sack striking doctors under the State Health sector, warning that his administration will adopt the policy of ‘no work, no pay’ if they fail to immediately resume work, Our Kogi State Correspondent reports.

The threat which was contained in a circular dated May 4 and signed by the State Acting Head of Service, Mrs. Hannah Lawal, explained that the state government was doing the needful to make sure that all salary arrears of the cleared officers are paid within the shortest possible time.

The circular with reference number HCS/MISC/COR/01/VOL.III/643 and directed to the State Secretary, National Association of Resident Doctors, reads in part: “I have been directed to inform all the staff under the Kogi State Health Sector that, the State Government is doing whatever is needful to make sure that all salary arrears of cleared officers are paid within the shortest possible time without any further delay. It is equally noteworthy for every Union to know or realize that the best way to resolve any issue is through peaceful dialogue and not strike action”.

In view of the foregoing, any Staff of Kogi State that decides to go on strike is hereby notified that he/she will have his/her job at stake. The policy of “NO WORK NO PAY” will be adopted for any worker that embarks on strike action”.

Meanwhile, barely forty eight hours after the Kogi State Chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association directed its members to embark on strike, health activities have been grounded in most hospitals owned by the Kogi State government.

When Our Kogi State Correspondent visited the Kogi State Specialist Hospital in Lokoja, the ever busy male and female wards, surgical ward, labour ward, children ward, maternity ward, dental ward as well as eye clinic, accident and emergency wards were spotted empty, just as no doctor was on ground to attend to patients. Absence of the striking Medical Officers led to the discharge of patients to privately owned hospitals.

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