Make Medical Workers Strike A Crime, Doctor Tells FG

Following the incessant strike carried out by medical workers in the country, a medical practitioner, Dr. Majekodunmi Ayodele, has asked the Federal Government to sponsor an executive bill that will criminalise industrial action by medical workers, The Punch report.

President Buhari

Dr. Ayodele, who is the chief medical director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti, Ekiti State, made this remark as doctors under the auspice of the Association of Resident Doctors embarked on a nationwide strike. He noted the incessant strike is taking its toll on the health sector in the country.

The doctors are on strike to demand for full implementation of Consolidated Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS) and commencement of payment for the skipping of Consolidated Health Salary Scale 2 to members, as directed by the Federal Government.

Ayodele said: “the templates for the implementation of CONMESS and payment for skipping CONHESS 2 have not been released by Federal Government, let alone releasing money for their payments.”

“The Federal Government must start a process of restructuring the health sector. It seems as if the medical officers, including doctors, nurses and others are addicted to strike and this is killing the system.

“In 2014, doctors went on strike for over four months while JOHESU was on strike for about six months. Out of about 360 work days, hardly did they come to work for their legitimate duties for 120 days.

“We cannot afford to abandon our responsibilities because we offer essential services.”

Ayodele called on the striking doctors to returned to working adding that he had no plan to enforce ‘no-work-no-pay’ rule. He gave the assurance that workers’s entitlements and arrears would be paid.

READ ASLO: Judicial Workers Suspend 7-Months-Old Strike In Edo

“How do you realise money to pay for residency training when workers are not working to make money? You can’t be embarking on strike at the slightest opportunity and be expecting sponsorship for training from the hospital because they are not being paid for by Federal Government.

“Let me also add that this rumour going rounds that the funding for CONHESS 2 and CONMESS had been factored into the 2015 Budget is not true. It is saddening that we are losing lives here on a daily basis and we plead with our colleagues to resume work. They must show understanding and patriotism,” he said.

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