Doctors Strike? Anytime I read the word strike, it reminds me of my undergraduate project at Nsukka. My focus was on the Senegalese society as a reflection of Frenchifised African society. The title of my project was LUnivers Romanesque d Aminata Sow Fall, using her award winning book, Beggars Strike. Nothing captured that saying in francophone Africa about the oneness of Africa that (quand je parle de moi, je parle de vous). I can still remember that work chapter by chapter, and if they call me to defend it again, I think I will do far better than I did close to two decades ago. Strike has become a way of life in Nigeria, and the most ridiculous aspect of it is that unions will shelve their strike actions only to go back to same strike. Now the doctors strike. My editorial next week is on strikes as a means of attracting attention. Must our workers embark on strikes, are there not any other option, or is it that strikes are the only language governments understand? I listened to the President of the Nigeria Medical Association(NMA) Dr. Kayode Obembe, who said the decision to embark on an industrial action was taken after the expiration of a two week ultimatum to the Federal Government, that the NMA opted for a “total and indefinite strike” at an emergency delegates meeting. According to him, “NMA is taking this painful route because our silence and gentle approach to these contending issues have been taken for granted. We have to take this action to save the health care delivery system from anarchy that is palpably imminent.”He appealed to us (ordinary Nigerians that cant afford medical treatments abroad) for understanding, calling on us to prevail on the government to meet the demands. I have been looking at their demands, some are ok, some are somehow. The NMA are calling for the immediate appointment of a Surgeon General of the Federation. I think we should have a surgeon general of the federation whose major work includes warning us on how dangerous cigarette smoking could be to our health. They also call for the increment of hazard allowance to N100, 000 monthly. Well I have no issue with this, if there will truly be hazards that will warrant hazard allowances. They called for the establishment of a health trust fund that will enhance the upgrading of all hospitals in the country. This is good, why cant we have this fund. They also call for the withdrawal of the Central Bank of Nigeria circular on medical laboratory equipment.I also call for that withdrawal. In a country with some of the worst statistics on health, from maternal mortality, to infant mortality, under five incidence, doctor patient ratio, hospital people ratio, etc etc, I dont see why medical laboratory equipments should attract the level of duties, while some not so important industries are getting outright waivers. Then, they want the reservation of the position of the Chief Medical Director/Medical Director for medical doctors only, as contained in the Act establishing the tertiary hospitals. I was wondering why a Chief Medical Director should be a teacher , an accountant , an engineer, or a pen pusher like me.What do I know, or is the position an administrative one only. If so, then, eehm, eeemmmm, anybody can handle the job. I remember writing on this two years ago, narrating my encounter with the Provost of LASUTH, and he said that our public hospitals should be run as a business concern with CEO who should be ab astute administrator running the place. He should be the one whose job it is to ensure that doctors meet the expectations of their contracts. He said that a hospital should have a medical director to is in charge of all the doctors, but he should be under a CEO who must ensure that the whole place is well run. He said so many things I cant reproduce here due to space, but he said that such is the practice world over. Having said that.I think it is wrong for the government to enter into an agreement they know they do not have what it takes to keep. I will honestly like to know what doctors think about this.You can inbox me if you dont want Dr. Obembe to read your comments.Also, I will like the input of labour leaders, public affairs analysts, lawyers etc etc Dr.Chukwuma Christopher Osaji, Benjamin Udodigbo, Randiè Dike-Dikeukwu, Chinwike Justice Oke-Nwosu, Anthony D. Soares, Inno Uzuh CfrOlusola Osineye, Peter Esele, Nnenna Urom, Angela Ogoo Odikapikin, Chin AkanoVictoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, St Chijioke, Ilemona OnojaEgheomhanre Eyieyien, Agha Egwu, and many others, what do you think about this.
Posted on: Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:17:05 +0000