Kaduna Resident Doctors to Embark on Strike…..gives government ultimatum
By Alex Uangbaoje, Kaduna
Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) of Nigeria, Kaduna State Branch, has issued a 21 Days Ultimatum to the Kaduna State Government to met all their demands, else they embark on indefinite strike.
“We, the doctors employed by the Kaduna State government, unanimously agreed to issue a 21days ultimatum to meet with our demands or face an industrial action by the expiration of the notice. Today marks the end of eight days and now 13 days to go.” they said.
The doctors are accusing the Governor Nasril El-rufai led government of paying deaf ears to their demands by refusing to reply all their correspondence in writing, rather, the government is making verbal promises without cogent documentation.
According to them, Kaduna State is currently facing internal brain drain, as State employed doctors are seeking greener pastures out the state.
State President of ARD, Dr Joseph Natsah Jokshan, at a press conference to announce the ultimatum on Tuesday, noted that, “as it stands, the Doctor patient ratio of Kaduna State is placed at about a doctor to 4000 persons. The WHO recommends a Doctor to population ratio of a Doctor to 600 persons.
“These indices even become worse as one moves to rural areas. It is therefore requisite that measures should be put in place to correct this. This is evidenced by the long waiting times and long booking times in the hospitals.”
Although he commended the government for it’s effort to recruit about a 100 doctors into the current workforce, he however, said recruiting them does not address the root cause of the of the problem.
“A motivated and educated workforce, coupled with the right infrastructure and conducive working environment is the necessary combination required to reposition our health care delivery system.
“Kaduna State has a high turnover rate for doctors as most Doctors leave to seek employment elsewhere. When the country is experiencing external brain drain, Kaduna state is witnessing an internal brain drain as most doctors leave to other states or federal institutions.
“As it stands, Kaduna State has the lowest remuneration among all other states in the north west zone. Some of our colleagues are owed up to 10 months’ salary, despite showing up every day for work. Others have their arrears unpaid.
“There is also the issue of professional stagnation due to lack of promotions and non-payment of arrears after promotion or advancement.” he added.
Dr. Natsah, explained that, “in 2011, the issue of remuneration was brought to the Late Governor of Kaduna State, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa and he approved and partially implemented, promising a complete implementation in the following year.
“However, due to his unfortunate and sad demise, we had to engage this present government from the start. But it is pertinent to note that government is a continuous process, and should be seen as such in all sense.
“As it stands, the state doctors are currently on 76% of the adjusted CONMESS and 59% with appropriate placement. In this regard, we have written letters and backed them up with necessary documents. Despite that, we are yet to see any meaningful progress in that regard.
“This has forced many to leave and thus resulting in even poorer doctor to patient ratio. A department in the States’ Largest Hospital has no single Medical Officer or resident presently, as most have left for better prospects.
“Worst hit are those in rural areas who have to access General Hospitals, some with only two doctors. This has resulted in a lot of quackery, as most are forced to seek medical care elsewhere, with detrimental outcomes and needless loss of lives.
“On the issue of Infrastructure, it is sad to note that the State Government doesn’t have a single Intensive care unit in any of its hospitals, an indictment of the government. The services at the accident and emergency units are abysmal due to lack of necessary tools as even oxygen is hard to come by.
“There are numerous examples of inexcusable infrastructural deficits across the whole state.”
He said the “demands became imperative since the patience and tolerance of our Doctors and their attempts to get the government to do the needful failed.
“The demands are:
Provision of adequate funding, equipping and staffing of our Hospitals in order to create a conducive working and living environment for the Medical and other health workers as well as our patients.
“Immediate payment of House Officers salaries and arrears as well as putting a mechanism in place to prevent future delays in payment of House officers’ salaries.
“Immediate and full implementation of the corrected Consolidated Medical Salary Structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the only recognised salary structure for doctors nationwide, as well as appropriate placement of medicals officers in their appropriate grade level.
“Immediate implementation of already approved funding for residency training of Kaduna State Doctors on Supernumerary training.”
He vowed that “this is a struggle we intend to see through to the end. Not because we are ingrates, inconsiderate or in-human to the plight of the public, but because, just like every other person in this room, we are first humans tasked with a responsibility to care of the lives of the people of Kaduna State through effective and efficient health care delivery, high ethical standard and in the interest of our members.
“Unfortunately, we cannot effectively carry out these tasks in the current sorry state of our health care facilities.
“Therefore, It is the responsibility of any responsible Government to ensure industrial harmony and effective health care delivery to its people. Our demands are our rights and they are implementable.”
He pledged the association’s readiness to always work with the state government to effectively achieve its sustainable health care objectives in the interest of development and gratification of the distinguished
public.
He further stated that, “there is no better time to demonstrate sound Leadership than now. Lets see “failed promises” vanish. Let’s celebrate the true change we voted for, stood for, fought for and declared.
“We want to assure the public that we will continue to serve and attend to their health needs in the best possible way we can while we remind the Government of its promised responsibility to protect and promote their health.”
