The federal government has ordered federal medical directors and Managing Directors of federal tertiary hospitals to "immediately" begin the use of consultants and doctors of the National Youth Service Corps to provide routine services.
The government also directed that locum staffers should “be brought in when and where necessary to forestall services’ disruption when applicable and affordable”.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, gave the directive in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday.
He was reacting to the nationwide strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors over the non-payment of their COVID-19 hazard allowance and other demands.
He said: "It is with deep concern that I see the ongoing strike by the Nigerian Association of Residents Doctors which began yesterday (Tuesday) September 7, 2020.
“We must remember that the primary duty of doctors and all health workers is to save lives. Embarking on a strike in this time that the country is battling with the COVlD-19 pandemic is ill-timed and ill-advised.
“lt is a critical time in which all well-meaning medical professionals should close ranks and confront the common enemy, which is the COVlD-I9 pandemic threatening mankind.
“This is therefore one strike too many. Besides, most of the demands have been met and others, though, difficult, are at an advanced stage of implementation. A little patience would have made a big difference.
“I wish to assure the general public that measures have been put in place to ensure that they continue to access services at all our federal tertiary hospitals across the country.”
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