Lagos University Teaching Hospital has informed the general public that that there is an ongoing industrial dispute between the National Association of Residents Doctors and the Federal Government of Nigeria. According to Olufemi Fasanmade, Consultant Endocrinologist and Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, who spoke on behalf of management, “Adequate arrangements have been made to ensure continuity of services during this period and the hospital will remain open to in and out patients. Our patients shall continue to receive services from staff and we have medical services in place to ensure no patient suffers. We are hopeful that ongoing negotiations will be amicable and lead to a speedy resolution.” He said.
Furthermore, the Federal Government’s negotiation team led by Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment will today, Wednesday, meet with the leadership of National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) in Abuja.
The move is part of ongoing efforts to salvage the plight of thousands of Nigerians who have been compelled to vacate the health facilities as a result of the ongoing nationwide industrial action declared by the National Association of Resident Doctors on Monday.
Most of the Resident Doctors working in the Federal Government owned public health institutions in various states of the federation and FCT, have signified intention to comply with the directive of the Association’s National Executive Council (NEC).
Samuel Olowookere, Deputy Director (Press) for Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, who confirmed Wednesday’s meeting, disclosed that the meeting will hold by 12noon.
“The Minister is expected to leave the Federal Executive Council meeting to meet with the Resident Doctors by 12 noon,” Olowookere said.
Other stakeholders expected at the conciliation meeting include: Minister of Health, Accountant General of the Federation, Chairman, National Wages and Salaries Commission, while John Onyebuchi, NARD President is expected to lead other members of the National Executive Council to the meeting.
Recall that the NARD Executive Council had after the emergency meeting held in Abuja on Monday morning, rejected the memorandum of settlement signed with Federal Government’s team.
The parties are expected to review the terms of reference reached at the last meeting with the view to call off the 3-day industrial action.
In another development, The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole has directed CMDs/MDs of Federal Hospitals to immediately engage the services of Locum Doctors to augment the services of Consultants, NYSC Doctors and doctors on internship, pending the resolution of the on-going strike action by the resident doctors.
This was contained in a circular Ref. No. C. 3132/Vol. V/116, of 5th September, 2017, addressed to all CMDs/MDs of Federal Tertiary Health Institutions across the country.
This, according to the minister, was an attempt to reduce the increased workload of consultants, NYSC doctors and House officers, thereby preventing reduction in quality of service delivery to patients.
The minister had earlier approved the use of armed forces, police and Federal Road Safety Health Facilities, in ensuring continuous provision of health care services in the hospitals.
This new directive was to further provide additional support to the federal government hospitals, to strengthen service delivery.
Kemi Ajumobi & Kehinde Akintola
