BAYELSA STATE : A DEAD END FOR YOUNG DOCTORS

It's been over 8 months since the Intern doctors employed by the Bayelsa State Government have been persistently making efforts to reach the State Government over their unpaid 8 months salary arrears being owed them.

Having rounded off their compulsory one year housemanship, which by the way entails an austere manner of work, and extreme detachment from self, family and friends in the bid to provide quality Healthcare, one would expect that such laborers would never be denied their wages. But that is exactly what the Bayelsa state government has resorted to - denying young and innocent doctors their wages, which amount to 8 months of unpaid salary arrears. Most of these young doctors had to pay for their own accommodation, some others had to squat with friends in places far away from the hospital premises. Having gone through these extra efforts to provide efficient services throughout the period of their house job, these doctors are yet to get their 8 months salary arrears.

What could be more inhumane? The young and promising doctors have had their lives and career growth stymied by this show of dishonesty by the government and a lack of willpower on the part of their umbrella body - The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Bayelsa chapter, to intervene. The NMA, bayelsa chapter has displayed a nauseating show of lack of empathy by trivializing the matter, and treating such an important issue with levity. They've instead taken sides with the oppressor, abandoning their younger colleagues in the process. All efforts to get the ministry of health and the governor to intervene have fallen on arid grounds.

Meanwhile, most of these young doctors have not been able to pay for their permanent license to practise in the country (which is only given after completing the housemanship), some have also not been able to register for the primaries examination in the postgraduate colleges. All of these young and innocent doctors have immediate and extended family responsibilities. A lot of them have borrowed in the hope of paying back when they get their arrears. How bad does it need to get before they are paid? Do we need to hear another case of suicide like Dr Orji's before we come to the rescue of these helpless doctors? A healthy and happy doctor is a healthy healthcare system.

#GovDicksonPayUsOurSalaryArrears. Pay us our money. We have suffered enough. We are struggling to survive. A laborer deserves his wages!

Signed:
Dr. Uwakwe Nduka

Too bad coming from a state like Bayelsa