Posted on: Tue 23-08-2016

Its honourable to commend the writer for his concern as regards the well being of humanity and also his ability to recognize that man-made causes are among the problems affecting health system in this country. This like you rightly pointed out has led to industrial disharmony in hospitals leading to unfortunate consequences and hardship to the masses.

     However, I honestly beg to differ with some of the issues you raised, because I think you failed to address them with facts and figures devoid of bias and with little sincerity.

     Permit me to start with the issue of university of Uyo teaching hospital which you claimed that short fall in revenue was the cause of not being able to fulfill the federal government orders to pay the full salaries of resident doctors which other hospitals have started. You quickly sampled the list of other hospitals in same problem like UPTH Port Harcourt, UBTH Benin, FMC Asaba. You also failed to sample the list of those that has complied with the federal government directives and are paying full salaries to their Resident doctors like UCTH Calabar, FMC Bayelsa and their citizens are enjoying maximum health care. You also failed to tell us that the ones you listed, some are paying some percentage already e.g FMC Asaba since January and others has offered to pay some percentage but Federal government said 100%. So they cannot be compared with UUTH sir.

     My major worry about this your list is that all these hospitals are in South South. The question is why? I also feel there are other questions and clarification you failed to address:

1. This shortage of revenue in hospitals if its peculiar to south south and UUTH? Because I know there are over 50+ federal government hospitals in this country and it’s in south - south that most are on strike.

2. What is the cause of the shortage in revenue? Is it that its due to poor management or incompetence of the managers?

3. It would be better if the writer presents to the public a well arranged white paper containing the amount UUTH got from Federal government for 2016, the number of Resident doctors and house officers they need to pay comparing it to that of other hospitals already paying at least so that the masses would know who is telling the truth. Than labeling the public as being "Gullible" because I know most of our masses are more learned that most of us. Using the word “Gullible" to describe the public is disrespectful in my opinion. If UUTH got the lowest allocation than other hospitals it would be good for us to know sir with figures.

4. He also failed to address the issue of house officers which I heard UUTH is among the only 3 federal government hospitals not paying the correct entry point as approved by federal government or is it due to shortage in revenue?

5. He also failed to tell the public if memorandum of understanding has been signed by Resident doctors and management on this issue and why management didn't fulfill the agreement.

It’s advisable that in an attempt to find solutions to problems, its pertinent to avoid getting the issues more complicated. Trying to tag the populace as being Gullible because they refused to believe you as they have known the truth is unfair because it’s this same public that suffers more from this imbroglio.

As for the issue of tax, the writer said its being handled centrally by the federal government. The last time I checked Residents in UUTH are under GIFMIS and not IPPIS, so I would love the federal government to respond to that accusation.

 Since the writer projects himself as an activist that has the interest of humanity at heart. He should also try not to be bias as health workers are also in that category of "Humanity". Most of these health workers especially doctors are humans. They have families and when a senior registrar in UUTH earns same amount with a registrar in another federal hospital and a registrar earns same with a house officer in another federal hospital, you expect him/ her to be happy? At times they even have to do more work, and you think it’s fair/ human and not injustice?

Finally, we Call on federal government to increase funding to hospitals generally and also advising that those in management cadre in our hospitals to always seek every possible means to create harmony between them and their workers. They should also know that the people of south-south and we Akwaibomites deserves the best. Also note that for the death of any Akwaibomite which is due to anybody's actions and in actions, the persons involved would never go unpunished by God. Management should do the needful because the people of Akwaibom deserves good health. 

Long live the good people of Akwaibom state!!

Long live the federal republic of Nigeria!!

WRITTEN BY OFFONG UMOH OFONG)

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