THE Chief Medical Director, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti, Dr. Majekodunmi Ayodele, has decried the crisis between the doctors and other health workers and called on the Federal Government to take a decisive step to prevent the sector from total collapse.

 

Dr. Ayodele also urged his colleagues in the sector to refrain from holding government to ransom via incessant industrial action, saying such practice has reduced the level of trust in Nigeria’s health sector.

 

In a chat with journalists in Ido Ekiti on Wednesday, Ayodele praised President Goodluck Jonathan for upgrading the hospital into a full-fledged teaching hospital, saying the feat was made possible through partnership with Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Ado Ekiti.

 

Ayodele said the hospital has about 65 regular consultants spread across medical lines, adding that the hospital would continue to offer services at affordable rate for poor Nigerians to have access to quality health services in spite of the ongoing austerity measures put in place by the Federal Government.

 

Lamenting the protracted feud between the doctors and other medical personnel in the sector, Dr. Ayodele added that the situation has led to unhealthy rivalry in every government owned institutions across the country and having a toll on the system.

 

The consultant psychiatrist   stated that the leadership crisis between members of the Nigeria Medical Association and Joint Health Unions (JOHESU) is affecting the system, urging Preuted authorities. That accounted for the incessant strike they used to embark upon that has crippled the health sector.

“I am not saying there should not be strike to demand for their rights, but as an employee, we have to be a little bit loyal to our employers. We should allow dialogue to take place rather than toe the line of impunity, which is industrial strike. The government must take bold steps in this regard.

 

“Look at what is happening in the health system now, the NMA and JOHESU are fighting over leadership. This is uncalled for. I expect the Federal Government to go hard on them by bringing how medical practice as an orthodox practice is being done in Europe and America to Nigeria.

 

“I believe the solution to this is in the hands of the government. If the doctors are expected to be leaders, let them be seen as leaders and if nurses are to take leadership, then let it be respected rather than allowing a group of people to be holding the nation to ransom.”

 

By Muyiwa Adeyemi

Guardian