PRESS RELEASE BY THE ASSOCIATION OF RESIDENT DOCTORS,
KOGI STATE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL (KSSH).
PREAMBLE
ARD KSSH embarked on an industrial action on the 13th of July, 2015 on issues that borders on implementation of Government Directive of 2013 and condition of service
On the 19th of December, 2013 the Federal Government through the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation directed that all health workers including Medical Officers should skip a grade level with a cover circular from the Federal Ministry of Health. Though this is being implemented for other health workers at the Kogi State Specialist Hospital even before the circular was released, the hospital management has refused to implement this directive for Medical Officers
The strike is a product of failed negotiation of over 36 months prior to the commencement of the strike action while the hospital management remained defiant to our agitations over these injustices.
ARD following her congress meeting held on the 13th of July, 2015. Made the under-listed observations
1.) Skipping of grade level for health workers under the CONHESS salary structure commenced from 2010 at the Kogi State Specialist Hospital
2.) In April 2012 the sitting CMD applied for continuation of skipping for all other health workers with the Exclusion Of Doctors, this was approved by his Excellency on request by the CMD
3.) KSSH was the 1st institution to begin skipping for health workers in the federation, and subsequently health workers in HMB KOGI State also started skipping
4.) ARD as an association has engaged government through the Hospital Management, The Board and his Excellency severally on the civil service implication of all other health workers skipping.
5.) We have appealed that in the interest of fairness, balance and justice, the skipping being applied to health workers in the hospital be extended to Medical Officers
6.) Appropriate interpretation on the implication of health workers skipping via-a-vis the GL has been given by the PS FMOH.
7.) The ARD had embarked on a 5day warning strike to protest the need for across-board implementation of skipping.
8.) The need for the appropriate thing to be done is a National Agitation cutting across all tires of Government
9.) At present both the Two Tertiary Hospitals in the State Capital (FMCL and KSSH) are affected by this strike action.
10.) We also want to say that several centre’s Nationwide(federal and state) have fully complied with the directive from the FMOH in the greater interest of Industrial Harmony.
11.) It is therefore a surprise to us that while KSSH was the 1st to start skipping for her health workers (2010) without any Government Circular with the EXCLUSION of Doctors, we are still yet to implement skipping for Doctors in spite of all the Appropriate Circulars Of HOS/FMOH/NSIWC when almost all centers in the federation have complied and implemented skipping in the greater interest of industrial peace.
Our prayers are as follows;
That the Government of his Excellency, Capt. Idris Wada
1.) In the spirit of fair-play and balance implement skipping for Doctors as is currently been enjoyed by other health workers in KSSH and HMB.
2.) That all well meaning members of the public appeal to this Excellency to intervene and restore industrial harmony in the hospital.
Thank you,
PRESIDENT
Dr. Adamu Audu
SECRETARY
Dr. Babatunde Samuel
