Kogi Doctors Set to Resign En Masse Over Unpaid Salaries

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The Kogi State health sector appears to be at the verge of collapse following indications that over 80% of doctors working with Kogi state government have shown readiness to resign.

This development is coming following the failure of the Alhaji Yahaya Bello-led government to pay doctors their salaries and the dismissal of some of their members employed in 2015 which the government tagged ‘politically patronized employment’.

In a statement signed by the acting chairman Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Kogi State chapter, Dr Godwin Tijani in Lokoja, and made available to journalists, he noted that the striking doctors had indicated 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 activities 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. The doctors are ready to tender their resignation letters.

“Remember, Kogi State has one of the poorest health indices in the federation and the lowest numbers 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 can not 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 read.

While referring to a recent advertorial for employment released by the state ministry of health, Dr Tijani insist that this should serve as an eye opener to those who want to apply for the advertised post adding that if 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 NMA acting chairman however called on stakeholders to appeal to the state government to pay doctors their salaries rather than constant intimidation and threat pointing out that they are demanding for the payment of their salaries and reinstatement of their 2015 colleagues.

“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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