WE have already seen the circular which was dated 13th of august, 2014 which is two days ago, they cir- culated it to all Chief Medical Directors and the Medical Directors. And even the sample of the letter, people have already passed the circular. We have instructed all our members not to collect such letter. The policies and rules in civil service are very clear. 

You cannot just wake up and sack somebody without any thing. Number one, the public service rule is clear and we are civil servants, before you can sack anybody such person must first be given query first. The person must be allowed to even answer the querry and will also be given a chance to defend him or herself. 

It is only the Board of the Hospital that has power to sack the doctors. So you cannot just wake up and said you are sacking 16,000 resident doctors circulated across the country. To me, I see it as a threat and we are ready to take it up. 

You see, this is not the first time it has happened. They have done the same thing with ASUU over time so we are determined to fight the battle because we are no long under military dictatorship.  

The President's action is ill-advised, it is totally against the democratic norms, and it is uncalled for. When people resolve to this kind of action in a country, it normally causes problems.We are all intellectuals, and if government has shown enough sincerity, this strike could have been suspended. 

Now look at the issue of Ebola, see how the government is handling it. You will be amazed. Where is the life insurance? How much are you even paying the volunteers? Many of our members have already volunteered to take care of these patients. As am talking to you close to 30 doctors in Lagos have volunteered. 

There is no other profession that can take care of these Ebola patients aside from doctors and nurses. Anybody who 

tries to volunteer aside from this aforementioned, is just signing to commit suicide, because they cannot do what they are not trained to do. So Nigerians should call on government to quickly proffer solution because if they allow this Ebola issue to get out of hand, things we do not expect will happen . 

By:  Chairman, LUTH ARD, Dr. Olubunmi Omojuowolo