Chairman House commttee on Diaspora

THE sack of over 16,000 Nigerian resident doctors by the Federal Government as 'highly questionable' on! several fronts, chief amongst which is present emergency medical situation currently plaguing our nation. Indefinite suspension of the residency programme also poses a threat to development of the already ailing healthcare sector in Nigeria. Resident doctors form a great part of the foundation upon which the medical practice in Nigeria is built. They are the younger generation of doctors who are constantly understudying their superiors with a  hope to replacing some of our renowned consultants in latter years .The message being sent by the Federal Government to our youthful doctors is clear and simple; "we do not care about you or your profession. To us you are worth less". This same message delivere in  several other ways has caused ton of our doctors to continue to relocate to  western countries. Their numbers have become so significant they have even formed associations in the United Kingdom and United States of America. For the sake our nation's medical sector, this perception needs to be addressed promptly. 

A nation that stifles the development of its young medical professionals through such a reckless pronouncement of sack and ostensibly offers the option of a renewable six month contract employment for young doctors has no moral right to expect quality performance from its health sector. 

"PresidentJonathan should reconsiderthe grave consequences of this action and in the interest of our nation rescind  this decision imrnediatelywhllst appealing to resident doctors and the entireNigeria Medical Association, NMA, to be reasonable in their demands and opt for dialogue to make peace,"she said.

by: Ablke Dablrl-Erewa