The Federal Government has described the demonstration carried out by the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) calling for the withdrawal of the suspension of residency doctors’ training programme as hypocritical.
Government also described the said demonstration as unhealthy and uncalled for.
The doctors yesterday in Abuja protested the Federal Government’ suspension of residency training programme for doctors, which is tantamount to sack.
The doctors carrying placards called for immediate
Reacting to the protest yesterday, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Mr. Linus Awute, said the demonstration was uncalled for since there is no training going on in the last one month.
Besides, Awute claimed that the doctors have been absent from work, so the Federal Government circular suspending residency training programme makes no difference.
He stressed: “The resident doctors have been on self-imposed suspension for the past one month.”
The Permanent Secretary also said it was an insult on Nigerians that the doctors would continue with the strike, while there is an emergency in the health sector, stressing that with the outbreak of Ebola, doctors in the country were expected to join hands with other health workers and government in tackling the issue.
He also noted that the trekking doctors have also received their July salaries, including all allowances despite the fact that they did not do any work in the month of July.
He stressed that the decision taken is in the interest of the health sector.
He further described the demonstration as impunity.
Awute, therefore, urged the doctors not to distract the government in its efforts towards tackling the Ebola virus.

Culled from Medical World Nigeria

Hahaha, who wins at the end??