Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has condemned the sacking of over 16,000 doctors by the Federal Government.
Dabiri- Erewa who is representing Ikorodu constituency in the lower chamber of the national assembly questioned the rationale behind the decision considering the recent outbreak of the Ebola Virus disease.
The statement read , “This sack of over 16,000 Nigerian resident doctors by the Federal Government is highly questionable on several fronts, chief amongst which is the present emergency medical situation (through the Ebola Virus Disease – EVD) currently plaguing our nation.
“It is understandable that the Federal Government may have disagreements with the striking doctors but opting to sack all resident doctors given the present predicament is unjustifiable, insensitive and inconsiderate.
“The indefinite suspension of the residency programme also poses a threat to the 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 are 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 lawmaker interpreted the decision of the Federal Government to mean that that “we do not care about you or your profession. To us you are worthless”.
According to her, such message could only result in many health workers relocating abroad to seek greener pasture.
“ This same message delivered in several other ways has caused tons of our doctors to continue to relocate to western countries. Their numbers have become so significant they have even formed associations in the UK and USA. For the sake our nation’s medical sector, this perception needs to be addressed promptly”, the statement quoted Dabiri- Erewa to have said.
She continued, “Across the globe, resident doctors play a pivotal role in the health delivery chain. 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 (6) month contract employment for young doctors has no moral right to expect quality performance from its health sector.
“This action smirks of high handedness and gross irresponsibility both to the sacked doctors and to the nation’s citizenry who are the ultimate victims.
The lawmaker urged the president to rethink and recall the sacked doctors, “President Jonathan should reconsider the grave consequences of this action and in the interest of our nation rescind this decision immediately whilst appealing to resident doctors and the entire Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) to be reasonable in their demands and opt for dialogue to make peace”, she stated.
