₦airaland Forum

lazyklax04: didiRIN!!!! If they no divide am, make u carry knife divide aM......

Biggyd2: My dear, when I remember some Nigerians, the phrase "stiff necked People" comes to mind! If people dey follow follow, make dem open eye, ear and mouth! Is it so difficult to achieve? They will read your explanation and still believe what the government propagandists are telling them. I sorry for my people.

GBAM !

@ moderator threads against the Drs should not get to the front page alone. for the sake of fairness this thread should make front page.

@ allycat the public will not complain, when they go on strike, they will remind them of the hippocratic oaths to save life!

Abimbade: THIS DISGUSTS ME BEYOND IMAGINATION NUPENG STRIKE KE WETIN BE THEIR OWN SMALL TIME TEACHERS TOO GO JOIN NNKAN TI DEOOOO MIO RI IRU ELEYI RIOOOO

I think Some Nlanders just post out of emotions without taking time to read other posts and critically analysed the situation before making comments.

@ Akimbade read the post below.

reindeer: Ha ha!
Guess these folks realise the fact that politicians don't care about them.
Looks like Fashola bit more than he can chew on this one.
He needs to backtrack ASAP and avoid ruining all his previous good works.
I think his advisers are leading him astray on this one, most unions have now realised that it's not just about doctors. If this 'succeeds', most unions know they can be sacked too hence this solidarity. I suspect this will continue until the whole state is grounded and doctors are recalled.

Justosaus: Thank u my brother. Now a lot of people are beginning to read between the lines. Fashola has taken his foolery too far. Don't forget dat the cane which was used to beat the senior wife will also be kept somewhere for the new wife someday. Its not just about oil & medicine, its about standing up against an insensitive government who has decided to put ego b4 the health of her citizens...

ayox20003: I want to add this: Why cant a governor treat his father in any hospital in his state? Even in his country?
This shows the level of irresponsibility and neglect displayed but our so-called leaders.
It shows the masses are meant to enjoy the rotten standards while their families go for the best standards.
And some suffering nigerians would still hail him BIG.
Nigerians, Wake-up!!!!

I hope they will!

laurelxy: How many cases have been seTtled in court,don't u know how long it takes to settle such cases in court. If the government had respected their own side of d deal, I don't si reasons why they would go on strike. Pls tink well

Doctors in S/West may join Lagos strike •As court overrules Lagos govt’s objections

Friday, 25 May 2012

MEMBERS of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in the South-West may embark on strike in support of their colleagues in Lagos State over the sack of the 788 medical doctors by the state government.

The NMA members have, however, appealed to governors of the South-West states and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene in the crisis before it completely gets out of hand.

The chairman of the Ondo State chapter of the association, who is also the South-West chairman of NMA, Dr Oluwatoyin Adetan, said this in Akure on Thursday while addressing the press on the alleged systematic decimation of medical and dental practitioners in Lagos State.

According to him, it was wrong for the state government to have reneged on the agreement it had earlier willingly entered into with the doctors.

He stated that out of the states in the South-West region of the country, only Lagos State had not fully implemented the new salary structure known as the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).

He said the sack of the doctors by the Lagos State government was an affront on the medical profession and against international labour laws, asking the Lagos State government to recall the doctors with immediate effect.

Adetan stated that the effect of the mass sack of the doctors and complete closure of the health facilities in Lagos State had led to the migration to neighbouring states and encourage quackery and untimely death.

The NMA, therefore, demanded the immediate recall of the sacked 788 doctors without any condition attached to it.

It also called for the “immediate implementation of the already signed agreement to fully implement CONMESS with effect from January 2011 with full arrears paid.”

The association also demanded an apology from the Lagos State government for allegedly “bringing the profession to disrepute, failure of which the NMA, Ondo State will have no hesitation to move in tandem with our colleagues in Lagos, in order to ensure good brotherliness as prescribed by the Hippocratic oath. We shall be part of the strike if it is allowed to persist any further.”

Meanwhile, the Lagos State government has lost out in its bid to stop a suit filed by the 788 medical doctors it recently sacked owing to a prolonged trade dispute.

This was sequel to a ruling on Thursday by Justice Benedict Kanyip of the National Industrial Court, Lagos, in which the objections of the government to the suit were overruled.

In resolving the questions raised by the motion, the court adopted the two issues raised by the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Ade Ipaye, while arguing the motion.

These are1) Whether the court should not decline jurisdiction and strike out the suit on the grounds that it was brought on behalf of the Medical Guild, an entity which has no legal entity and (2) whether the claimants’ action disclosed a reasonable cause of action, thereby allowing the court with the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

On the first issue, the court held that the consideration of whether or not the first two claimants, Dr Olumuyiwa Odusote and Dr Idris Durojaiye could actually succeed in their claims against the defendants on behalf of other members of the Medical Guild involved the merit of the case.

This issue, according to the court, could not be determined at “this early stage” but at the trial.

The court then declared that at this stage, it would accommodate the claimants for the purpose of determining their rights.

On the second issue, the court, while referring to the provisions of Section 254(c) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which deals with the issue of the court’s jurisdiction to entertain any matter, held that the claims of the claimants actually fell within what the section termed, “subject matter” and thus must be heard by the court.

On the whole, the judge held that “I think the justice of this case demands that parties be given the opportunity to explain issues at the trial and not to shut out all enquiries at this stage.

“The court, indeed, has jurisdiction to entertain the matter and we shall proceed to trial.”

Further hearing in the matter has been adjourned till June 19.

The doctors had, in the suit instituted by both the chairman of the Medical Guild, Dr Olumuyiwa Odusote and the general secretary, Dr Idris Durojaiye, for themselves and on behalf of other members of the guild, asked the court to void the identical dismissal letters purportedly issued to them by the government.

Joined as defendants in the suit were the Lagos State government; Commissioner for Health; Lagos State Health Service Commission and the State University Teaching Hospital Management Board.

In a motion on notice filed by their counsel, Bamidele Aturu, the doctors were seeking for an order of the court, “mandating or directing the defendants, their agents, servants, officers and/or privies to recall forthwith, all members of the medical guild or medical doctors in the services of the defendants purportedly dismissed vide identical letters issued during the pendency of this suit and after the defendants was duly notified of a relief for an order of perpetual injunction on or about May 4, 2012.”

The doctors were equally seeking for “an order of injunction restraining the defendants, whether by themselves, agents, servants, officers and or privies howsoever called or by whomsoever from ejecting or continuing with the ejection from staff quarters of members of the medical guild and doctors who took part in the three-day warning strike declared by the medical guild between April 11, 2012 and April 13, 2012, as a result of the failure of the defendants to fully implement the agreement reached by the medical guild and the defendants.”

According to the applicants, the decision of the defendants on the issue was in violation and sabotage of the rule of law and utter disrespect for the dignity of the court.

http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/front-page-news/41482-doctors-in-swest-may-join-lagos-strike-as-court-overrules-lagos-govts-objections

naturalwaves: Na wa o.It's obvious u guys work so hard going by d fact dat d patients out numbers d available docs just lyk d way d students far out numbers teachers in govt.schools.E ku ise! but dose 1s abandoning their duty post shuld try and stay there.Now, I think d most logically importantl thing 4 d govt 2 do is 2 employ more hands and both parties shuld 4get about agreements 4 now.Anyway,tnx 4 d lil eduction based on ur experience.

@ natural waves I like your response it shows you are very objective, unlike some Nlanders that argue out of points, not addressing the crux of the matter and refused to be convinced even when someone directly involve explain things to them. That is very good of you!

Standard chatered Bank, Since u will be relocating from Uk.

Our Lives Are Not Safe in the Hands of Baby Doctors - Lagosians

http://allafrica.com/stories/201205200154.html

Reactions have been trailing the employment of what Lagosians have termed 'baby doctors' in place of the sacked doctors in Lagos State Government hospitals. Lagosians especially those seeking medical attention in the state hospitals have expressed doubts over the appointment of newly graduated doctors, raising questions if they would be able to proffer solutions to critical situations.

An encounter recently in the Island Maternity Hospital, Lagos revealed that baby doctors attending to patients have not only been finding it difficult to address some strident issues with the patients but also are unable to handle some of the prevailing situations.

Although, the doctors are now seen in all the state owned hospitals attending the patients, nothing seems to be working as these doctors are according to the patients incompetent and inexperienced. One of the patients who spoke to us said their impact is yet to be felt in the lives of patients.

A visit to one of the hospitals during the ante-natal clinic on Tuesday revealed that some of the pregnant women who were lining up to be attended to, were yet to come to terms with the reason for the face-off.

In a gathering of more than twenty-five women who were waiting for doctors as at 11.30 am, the bone of contention was the on-going face-off between the State Government and doctors as they discussed the issue in hushed tones.

One of the women, who wouldn't want her name in print told the reporter that since the emergence of the baby doctors, there have been series of complaints from patients who have had cause to meet one-on-one with baby doctors. And in all, their complaints were basically issues of competency.

Without mincing words, she said, "the truth is that, I have been sitting down here for the past two hours and I don't know if any doctor is attending to people yet but I saw one particular doctor whose face wasn't familiar and I don't know what is happening".

Asked if she was aware that doctors have been sacked, she said, "I only knew that the doctors were on strike, I don't know if they have been sacked. What I know is that, I haven't been seeing those former doctors, I thought it was the strike thing that is keeping them away from the hospital", she answered.

Another woman who joined in the discussion said, "the fact that new doctors have been employed doesn't make any difference. Citing some encounters with the new doctors, she said, "Most of the people who have had cause to meet with these new doctors haven't any good news about them.

"A particular woman told me that the new doctor attending to her has no experience whatsoever to attend to health issues. For instance, imagine a doctor asking a woman who was already in her Estimated Date of Delivery, EDD, if her pregnancy was just sixth months old. He didn't take his time to go through the woman's record to know what the issue is", she ended.

Then, another woman said, "I don't know why state government should put its people in such a horrible situation. If it is going to sack doctors, at least, those who will be brought in should be competent enough to attend to critical health issues", she said.

"Right now, our lives are not secured, we are not even sure of the doctor who will be attending to us. And they know that we are handicapped".

Lagos State Governor, Fashola

Another woman who has had experience of the 2010 doctors' strike said, "Ãè remember my experience last time when these same doctors went on strike. A particular doctor in this hospital introduced my husband and I to his private hospital in Lagos. We were left with no choice than to subscribe to his referral. Unfortunately, the doctor made us pay through our nose. The first experience came when he said, " You will have to do a scan to ascertain the position of the baby and that will cost you the sum of five thousand naira only, N5,000.00.

"Then, he said, we should deposit the sum of thirty-five thousand naira, N35,000.00 and after the delivery, we will pay a balance of sixty thousand naira, N60,000.00. It was hell that day. My husband started running helter skelter and to worsen the situation, we were to pay before the doctor could attend to us", she continued.

"Unfortunately, we couldn't afford the bills, the balance and so we sought help in traditional birth attendants, TBA in my area and as God would have it, everything went well. And now, I am pregnant again, history has repeated itself, but, I don't pray to go through that rigour again. That is why we are begging our Governor to help call back all these doctors so that our lives can be secured", she lamented.

Some of the women who had different opinions on the issue said, "we don't even know why doctors should go on strike in the first place when all what they know is to refer people to their private hospitals. At least, we know of some doctors in this hospital that refer people to their private hospitals. They even recommend those hospitals for us to go and conduct scan and anyone who fails to bring report from those hospitals will not be recognised or even be attended to.

"So, if they decided to go on strike at the expense of people's lives then, God will judge them accordingly", they chorused. The biggest problem is the issue with baby doctors that are newly employed. They are not experienced and their mode of operation has been totally different from the former doctors. We believe the Governor should consider our lives and recall the doctors so that there can be peace in this state.

"Government is aware of our predicament and it shouldn't be compounded by sending doctors away. I believe there is room for dialogue so that everybody can be happy thereafter. And the doctors should be placed in strategic situations especially to oversee the baby doctors so that they can learn faster", another patient cuts in.

Asked if there is need to curb the excesses of doctors, she said, "For me, I believe government has a lot to do in that regard. For instance, there should be a task force put in place to monitor the activities of doctors such that if there is anyone who engages in any funny act like diverting drugs to his or her private hospital, such a person should be sanctioned. And anyone who refers patients to his private hospital should be reported and government must take lawful decision on such individual", she opined.

Meanwhile, after the court ruling sometime in the week, Chairman of the Medical Guild, Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote said: "It was a fair outing, the Judge pronounced there would not be eviction of any of the doctors and we are rest assured on that. By and large it was a fair outing and we are satisfied."

On the eviction order, he noted that the Medical Guild was aware of the counter order given by Governor Babatunde Fashola, even though there were no documents to back it up. "We could not rely on that and we were only being careful. Now those who have moved out can return based on the court ruling".

Face-off dangerous as it involves lives

Meanwhile, when Saturday Vanguard visited Lagos metropolis, it was revealed that the on-going problem has not only put fear in the minds of the people but it is also capable of endangering the lives of the people of the State.

For Mr. Akin Jimoh, a media practitioner and programme director, Devcoms Networks, "the on-going problem has shown a breakdown in communication between the State government and the doctors. It shows that dialogue has not been able to solve the problem. Both parties are holding to their own polemics without looking at the other side of the coin.

"And in a situation like this, nobody can say, he or she is totally right or the other party is totally wrong. So, we have to look at it holistically. What is the state of health care delivery in Lagos State and when we are talking about health care delivery, is it only in the teaching hospitals alone? We are talking holistically at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels. This situation has been there from time immemorial.

A typical scene at an emergency ward of a Lagos State government hospital before the protracted doctors strike.

And everybody knows that during the military regime, what they usually say is that "our hospitals have been turned to mere consulting clinics". They give that as a reason for taking over. But the question is, are these hospitals up to standard at the moment? Have they really turned the bend to say that we have standardised health facilities in the country? It is not enough when we point at one facility and we leave out others.

"The question is, do we have a better healthcare system? Are they being professional about their jobs? Do we have situations whereby, we have been able to address some of the common health issues in the state? People are quick to pass blames but we need to remember that individuals have a role to play. If there is an agreement, what are the terms of the agreement? The truth is that Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, has been at the fore-front of the issue that has to do with medical practice in this country.

"When one looks at the agitation during the military regime, during the Buhari/Idiagbon era, issues like this made some doctors flee the country for fear of arrest. And when one takes a look at the on-going crisis, the same people that sacked doctors now were part of the people who were agitating for better medical service in those days but now they form part of the team that is sacking those doctors.

"And if the government says, it is bringing in new doctors, the question that will be going through the minds of the people is the fact that the new doctors are without experience and so, how do they fit into attending to critical issues? If an inexperienced doctor is brought in to attend to patients, then the lives of the patients are at stake. And in a situation where three hundred inexperienced doctors are employed to replace professionals and experts, then, there is need for a sober reflection.

"And if government says, it would bring in private doctors who will provide service free of charge; the question is, is that the whole truth because[b] I am yet to see a doctor who will leave his own private job to go and work freely for government.[/b] I see a situation whereby people will suffer. The fact is that some of the doctors' mates have sought greener pastures in other countries but these ones have decided to work in their fathers' land.

"And unfortunately, the same doctor will be expected to oversee more than one hundred patients in a day. Those are pressing issues in our federal, state and local government levels. And when we start passing blames, the fact is that lots of people are dying.

"So, there is need for both parties to dialogue. It is a shame that those who are in power in this country get their treatment outside the country whenever they have issues. A good leader will access healthcare from within and send their children to public schools so that public schools will change", he concluded.

For Dauda Daud, a motor cyclist, the present situation in the healthcare system is not encouraging and therefore, it shouldn't be compounded. According to her, "when two elephants fight, the grass suffers. I believe people will suffer because the new doctors are not experienced. The truth is that the two parties should learn to swallow their pride and come to a compromise so that the doctors can return to their work or the poor masses are the ones that would bear the brunt.

"If government is going to employ new doctors, they must be well trained on the job. Sack of doctors in this country is a taboo because we are talking about the lives of people. Already, the scenario in hospital environment is not encouraging because there are no drugs and no good healthcare facilities. Negligence and other factors are discouraging people from accessing good healthcare service in the country. It's just like a child who is not being taken care of. Such a child will be violent in the city.

"So, if the state government refuses to take care of its doctors, then, there will be a problem. And for things to be better, government must be responsible. The truth is that most of the government officials do not access healthcare in this country and so it is not possible for them to know what people are passing through especially since the strike problem began."

A man who does not want his name mentioned said, "It is wrong for government to have sacked its doctors. Instead, more deliberations and dialogue should have been encouraged. Government should be humble enough to listen to the yearnings of the doctors instead of sacking them", he said.

Meanwhile, Badmus' opinion is that the two parties should learn to consider other people when taking certain decisions. "I think the two sides should come to a compromise because it is a serious issue that involves lives. "And by the virtue of the doctor's profession, it is a sensitive thing and that is why they should put their plans into consideration. I think, there is need for both parties to sit together in a round table and look for a way forward. The new doctors are not experienced and therefore it is dangerous to be playing with people's lives.

"My opinion is that government should reinstate the doctors. The new doctors should not be used as instruments to jeopardise the lives of the people,"he added . Another motorist also joined in the support for everybody to settle the case amicably. "It is better to settle amicably with experienced doctors because the new doctors do not have what it takes to take care of patients especially critical conditions".

This sack has the potential of completely destroying the sector - Dr. Odusote

Meanwhile the Chairman of the Medical Guide, Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote spoke after the court ruling during the week on the pronouncement by the Justice Benedict Kanyip of the Industrial Court, that Lagos state government should step down the eviction notice it served the sacked doctors.

According to him, "it was a fair outin. The judge pronounced there would not be eviction of any of the doctors and we are rest assured on that. By and large, it was a fair outing and we are satisfied."

On the eviction order, he noted that the Medical Guild was aware of the counter order given by Governor Babatunde Fashola even though there were no documents to back it up. "We could not rely on that and we were only being careful. Now, those who have moved out can move back based on the court ruling.

Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote, described the decision of the state government to negotiate with medical doctors after they have been sacked as deceptive. "I do not think this government realises what it has done. This sack has the potential of completely destroying the health care system of the state.You will remember that during the Buhari era when doctors were sacked, that led to a massive exodus of doctors to other countries and that was the beginning of brain drain which the nation has not recovered from. What is going to happen is that there will be a massive brain drain of doctors in Lagos.

"It is just unfortunate that the Lagos State government is embarking on this illegal act at a time the Federal Government is still trying to bring back those doctors sacked during the Buhari era from abroad. I'm sure those that want to come back are going to have a rethink."

Asked what would happen if the doctors are called back, he said, "We will not reject any opportunity to serve this country in any capacity but this government is lying. On Saturday, we were at the negotiation table with this government but meanwhile, they had signed our dismissal letters on Friday before coming to the meeting and they are now saying they are open to dialogue".

The commissioner told us at the meeting and I quote him that this (sacking of doctors) was the government policy and they were not going back that was why the Saturday meeting was deadlocked. If they are serious, the whole world will know, how can you say I have employed people to take over your job and you say you are open to dialogue? What is the dialoguing about?

On the massive sack, he said, "The matter is still court and it is capable of challenging this illegal act of government. Thank God, there is still rule of law in Nigeria and Lagos as part of Nigeria must believe in the rule of law. To let Nigerians know, the Nigerian Medical Association has taken over the issue, the Medical Guild will now take a back seat. This is an assault on the medical profession.

"This profession has being in existence before anyone of them came into government. And after they leave, the medical profession will continue to exist, so there is no government that can kill the medical profession. This is happening because these people, the commissioners do not use public hospitals. Until we are able to pass a law that criminalises any government official from going abroad for medical treatment, they will not look inward and fix the health sector of the country", he said.

Our Lives Are Not Safe in the Hands of Baby Doctors - Lagosians


http://allafrica.com/stories/201205200154.html

Reactions have been trailing the employment of what Lagosians have termed 'baby doctors' in place of the sacked doctors in Lagos State Government hospitals. Lagosians especially those seeking medical attention in the state hospitals have expressed doubts over the appointment of newly graduated doctors, raising questions if they would be able to proffer solutions to critical situations.

An encounter recently in the Island Maternity Hospital, Lagos revealed that baby doctors attending to patients have not only been finding it difficult to address some strident issues with the patients but also are unable to handle some of the prevailing situations.

Although, the doctors are now seen in all the state owned hospitals attending the patients, nothing seems to be working as these doctors are according to the patients incompetent and inexperienced. One of the patients who spoke to us said their impact is yet to be felt in the lives of patients.

A visit to one of the hospitals during the ante-natal clinic on Tuesday revealed that some of the pregnant women who were lining up to be attended to, were yet to come to terms with the reason for the face-off.

In a gathering of more than twenty-five women who were waiting for doctors as at 11.30 am, the bone of contention was the on-going face-off between the State Government and doctors as they discussed the issue in hushed tones.

One of the women, who wouldn't want her name in print told the reporter that since the emergence of the baby doctors, there have been series of complaints from patients who have had cause to meet one-on-one with baby doctors. And in all, their complaints were basically issues of competency.

Without mincing words, she said, "the truth is that, I have been sitting down here for the past two hours and I don't know if any doctor is attending to people yet but I saw one particular doctor whose face wasn't familiar and I don't know what is happening".

Asked if she was aware that doctors have been sacked, she said, "I only knew that the doctors were on strike, I don't know if they have been sacked. What I know is that, I haven't been seeing those former doctors, I thought it was the strike thing that is keeping them away from the hospital", she answered.

Another woman who joined in the discussion said, "the fact that new doctors have been employed doesn't make any difference. Citing some encounters with the new doctors, she said, "Most of the people who have had cause to meet with these new doctors haven't any good news about them.

"A particular woman told me that the new doctor attending to her has no experience whatsoever to attend to health issues. For instance, imagine a doctor asking a woman who was already in her Estimated Date of Delivery, EDD, if her pregnancy was just sixth months old. He didn't take his time to go through the woman's record to know what the issue is", she ended.

Then, another woman said, "I don't know why state government should put its people in such a horrible situation. If it is going to sack doctors, at least, those who will be brought in should be competent enough to attend to critical health issues", she said.

"Right now, our lives are not secured, we are not even sure of the doctor who will be attending to us. And they know that we are handicapped".

Lagos State Governor, Fashola

Another woman who has had experience of the 2010 doctors' strike said, "Ãè remember my experience last time when these same doctors went on strike. A particular doctor in this hospital introduced my husband and I to his private hospital in Lagos. We were left with no choice than to subscribe to his referral. Unfortunately, the doctor made us pay through our nose. The first experience came when he said, " You will have to do a scan to ascertain the position of the baby and that will cost you the sum of five thousand naira only, N5,000.00.

"Then, he said, we should deposit the sum of thirty-five thousand naira, N35,000.00 and after the delivery, we will pay a balance of sixty thousand naira, N60,000.00. It was hell that day. My husband started running helter skelter and to worsen the situation, we were to pay before the doctor could attend to us", she continued.

"Unfortunately, we couldn't afford the bills, the balance and so we sought help in traditional birth attendants, TBA in my area and as God would have it, everything went well. And now, I am pregnant again, history has repeated itself, but, I don't pray to go through that rigour again. That is why we are begging our Governor to help call back all these doctors so that our lives can be secured", she lamented.

Some of the women who had different opinions on the issue said, "we don't even know why doctors should go on strike in the first place when all what they know is to refer people to their private hospitals. At least, we know of some doctors in this hospital that refer people to their private hospitals. They even recommend those hospitals for us to go and conduct scan and anyone who fails to bring report from those hospitals will not be recognised or even be attended to.

"So, if they decided to go on strike at the expense of people's lives then, God will judge them accordingly", they chorused. The biggest problem is the issue with baby doctors that are newly employed. They are not experienced and their mode of operation has been totally different from the former doctors. We believe the Governor should consider our lives and recall the doctors so that there can be peace in this state.

"Government is aware of our predicament and it shouldn't be compounded by sending doctors away. I believe there is room for dialogue so that everybody can be happy thereafter. And the doctors should be placed in strategic situations especially to oversee the baby doctors so that they can learn faster", another patient cuts in.

Asked if there is need to curb the excesses of doctors, she said, "For me, I believe government has a lot to do in that regard. For instance, there should be a task force put in place to monitor the activities of doctors such that if there is anyone who engages in any funny act like diverting drugs to his or her private hospital, such a person should be sanctioned. And anyone who refers patients to his private hospital should be reported and government must take lawful decision on such individual", she opined.

Meanwhile, after the court ruling sometime in the week, Chairman of the Medical Guild, Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote said: "It was a fair outing, the Judge pronounced there would not be eviction of any of the doctors and we are rest assured on that. By and large it was a fair outing and we are satisfied."

On the eviction order, he noted that the Medical Guild was aware of the counter order given by Governor Babatunde Fashola, even though there were no documents to back it up. "We could not rely on that and we were only being careful. Now those who have moved out can return based on the court ruling".

Face-off dangerous as it involves lives

Meanwhile, when Saturday Vanguard visited Lagos metropolis, it was revealed that the on-going problem has not only put fear in the minds of the people but it is also capable of endangering the lives of the people of the State.

For Mr. Akin Jimoh, a media practitioner and programme director, Devcoms Networks, "the on-going problem has shown a breakdown in communication between the State government and the doctors. It shows that dialogue has not been able to solve the problem. Both parties are holding to their own polemics without looking at the other side of the coin.

"And in a situation like this, nobody can say, he or she is totally right or the other party is totally wrong. So, we have to look at it holistically. What is the state of health care delivery in Lagos State and when we are talking about health care delivery, is it only in the teaching hospitals alone? We are talking holistically at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels. This situation has been there from time immemorial.

A typical scene at an emergency ward of a Lagos State government hospital before the protracted doctors strike.

And everybody knows that during the military regime, what they usually say is that "our hospitals have been turned to mere consulting clinics". They give that as a reason for taking over. But the question is, are these hospitals up to standard at the moment? Have they really turned the bend to say that we have standardised health facilities in the country? It is not enough when we point at one facility and we leave out others.

"The question is, do we have a better healthcare system? Are they being professional about their jobs? Do we have situations whereby, we have been able to address some of the common health issues in the state? People are quick to pass blames but we need to remember that individuals have a role to play. If there is an agreement, what are the terms of the agreement? The truth is that Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, has been at the fore-front of the issue that has to do with medical practice in this country.

"When one looks at the agitation during the military regime, during the Buhari/Idiagbon era, issues like this made some doctors flee the country for fear of arrest. And when one takes a look at the on-going crisis, the same people that sacked doctors now were part of the people who were agitating for better medical service in those days but now they form part of the team that is sacking those doctors.

"And if the government says, it is bringing in new doctors, the question that will be going through the minds of the people is the fact that the new doctors are without experience and so, how do they fit into attending to critical issues? If an inexperienced doctor is brought in to attend to patients, then the lives of the patients are at stake. And in a situation where three hundred inexperienced doctors are employed to replace professionals and experts, then, there is need for a sober reflection.

"And if government says, it would bring in private doctors who will provide service free of charge; the question is, is that the whole truth because I am yet to see a doctor who will leave his own private job to go and work freely for government. I see a situation whereby people will suffer. The fact is that some of the doctors' mates have sought greener pastures in other countries but these ones have decided to work in their fathers' land.

"And unfortunately, the same doctor will be expected to oversee more than one hundred patients in a day. Those are pressing issues in our federal, state and local government levels. And when we start passing blames, the fact is that lots of people are dying.

"So, there is need for both parties to dialogue. It is a shame that those who are in power in this country get their treatment outside the country whenever they have issues. A good leader will access healthcare from within and send their children to public schools so that public schools will change", he concluded.

For Dauda Daud, a motor cyclist, the present situation in the healthcare system is not encouraging and therefore, it shouldn't be compounded. According to her, "when two elephants fight, the grass suffers. I believe people will suffer because the new doctors are not experienced. The truth is that the two parties should learn to swallow their pride and come to a compromise so that the doctors can return to their work or the poor masses are the ones that would bear the brunt.

"If government is going to employ new doctors, they must be well trained on the job. Sack of doctors in this country is a taboo because we are talking about the lives of people. Already, the scenario in hospital environment is not encouraging because there are no drugs and no good healthcare facilities. Negligence and other factors are discouraging people from accessing good healthcare service in the country. It's just like a child who is not being taken care of. Such a child will be violent in the city.

"So, if the state government refuses to take care of its doctors, then, there will be a problem. And for things to be better, government must be responsible. The truth is that most of the government officials do not access healthcare in this country and so it is not possible for them to know what people are passing through especially since the strike problem began."

A man who does not want his name mentioned said, "It is wrong for government to have sacked its doctors. Instead, more deliberations and dialogue should have been encouraged. Government should be humble enough to listen to the yearnings of the doctors instead of sacking them", he said.

Meanwhile, Badmus' opinion is that the two parties should learn to consider other people when taking certain decisions. "I think the two sides should come to a compromise because it is a serious issue that involves lives. "And by the virtue of the doctor's profession, it is a sensitive thing and that is why they should put their plans into consideration. I think, there is need for both parties to sit together in a round table and look for a way forward. The new doctors are not experienced and therefore it is dangerous to be playing with people's lives.

"My opinion is that government should reinstate the doctors. The new doctors should not be used as instruments to jeopardise the lives of the people,"he added . Another motorist also joined in the support for everybody to settle the case amicably. "It is better to settle amicably with experienced doctors because the new doctors do not have what it takes to take care of patients especially critical conditions".

This sack has the potential of completely destroying the sector - Dr. Odusote

Meanwhile the Chairman of the Medical Guide, Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote spoke after the court ruling during the week on the pronouncement by the Justice Benedict Kanyip of the Industrial Court, that Lagos state government should step down the eviction notice it served the sacked doctors.

According to him, "it was a fair outin. The judge pronounced there would not be eviction of any of the doctors and we are rest assured on that. By and large, it was a fair outing and we are satisfied."

On the eviction order, he noted that the Medical Guild was aware of the counter order given by Governor Babatunde Fashola even though there were no documents to back it up. "We could not rely on that and we were only being careful. Now, those who have moved out can move back based on the court ruling.

Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote, described the decision of the state government to negotiate with medical doctors after they have been sacked as deceptive. "I do not think this government realises what it has done. This sack has the potential of completely destroying the health care system of the state.You will remember that during the Buhari era when doctors were sacked, that led to a massive exodus of doctors to other countries and that was the beginning of brain drain which the nation has not recovered from. What is going to happen is that there will be a massive brain drain of doctors in Lagos.

"It is just unfortunate that the Lagos State government is embarking on this illegal act at a time the Federal Government is still trying to bring back those doctors sacked during the Buhari era from abroad. I'm sure those that want to come back are going to have a rethink."

Asked what would happen if the doctors are called back, he said, "We will not reject any opportunity to serve this country in any capacity but this government is lying. On Saturday, we were at the negotiation table with this government but meanwhile, they had signed our dismissal letters on Friday before coming to the meeting and they are now saying they are open to dialogue".

The commissioner told us at the meeting and I quote him that this (sacking of doctors) was the government policy and they were not going back that was why the Saturday meeting was deadlocked. If they are serious, the whole world will know, how can you say I have employed people to take over your job and you say you are open to dialogue? What is the dialoguing about?

On the massive sack, he said, "The matter is still court and it is capable of challenging this illegal act of government. Thank God, there is still rule of law in Nigeria and Lagos as part of Nigeria must believe in the rule of law. To let Nigerians know, the Nigerian Medical Association has taken over the issue, the Medical Guild will now take a back seat. This is an assault on the medical profession.

"This profession has being in existence before anyone of them came into government. And after they leave, the medical profession will continue to exist, so there is no government that can kill the medical profession. This is happening because these people, the commissioners do not use public hospitals. Until we are able to pass a law that criminalises any government official from going abroad for medical treatment, they will not look inward and fix the health sector of the country", he said

Hmmmmmmmm

Our Lives Are Not Safe in the Hands of Baby Doctors - Lagosians

http://allafrica.com/stories/201205200154.html

Reactions have been trailing the employment of what Lagosians have termed 'baby doctors' in place of the sacked doctors in Lagos State Government hospitals. Lagosians especially those seeking medical attention in the state hospitals have expressed doubts over the appointment of newly graduated doctors, raising questions if they would be able to proffer solutions to critical situations.

An encounter recently in the Island Maternity Hospital, Lagos revealed that baby doctors attending to patients have not only been finding it difficult to address some strident issues with the patients but also are unable to handle some of the prevailing situations.

Although, the doctors are now seen in all the state owned hospitals attending the patients, nothing seems to be working as these doctors are according to the patients incompetent and inexperienced. One of the patients who spoke to us said their impact is yet to be felt in the lives of patients.

A visit to one of the hospitals during the ante-natal clinic on Tuesday revealed that some of the pregnant women who were lining up to be attended to, were yet to come to terms with the reason for the face-off.

In a gathering of more than twenty-five women who were waiting for doctors as at 11.30 am, the bone of contention was the on-going face-off between the State Government and doctors as they discussed the issue in hushed tones.

One of the women, who wouldn't want her name in print told the reporter that since the emergence of the baby doctors, there have been series of complaints from patients who have had cause to meet one-on-one with baby doctors. And in all, their complaints were basically issues of competency.

Without mincing words, she said, "the truth is that, I have been sitting down here for the past two hours and I don't know if any doctor is attending to people yet but I saw one particular doctor whose face wasn't familiar and I don't know what is happening".

Asked if she was aware that doctors have been sacked, she said, "I only knew that the doctors were on strike, I don't know if they have been sacked. What I know is that, I haven't been seeing those former doctors, I thought it was the strike thing that is keeping them away from the hospital", she answered.

Another woman who joined in the discussion said, "the fact that new doctors have been employed doesn't make any difference. Citing some encounters with the new doctors, she said, "Most of the people who have had cause to meet with these new doctors haven't any good news about them.

"A particular woman told me that the new doctor attending to her has no experience whatsoever to attend to health issues. For instance, imagine a doctor asking a woman who was already in her Estimated Date of Delivery, EDD, if her pregnancy was just sixth months old. He didn't take his time to go through the woman's record to know what the issue is", she ended.

Then, another woman said, "I don't know why state government should put its people in such a horrible situation. If it is going to sack doctors, at least, those who will be brought in should be competent enough to attend to critical health issues", she said.

"Right now, our lives are not secured, we are not even sure of the doctor who will be attending to us. And they know that we are handicapped".

Lagos State Governor, Fashola

Another woman who has had experience of the 2010 doctors' strike said, "Ãè remember my experience last time when these same doctors went on strike. A particular doctor in this hospital introduced my husband and I to his private hospital in Lagos. We were left with no choice than to subscribe to his referral. Unfortunately, the doctor made us pay through our nose. The first experience came when he said, " You will have to do a scan to ascertain the position of the baby and that will cost you the sum of five thousand naira only, N5,000.00.

"Then, he said, we should deposit the sum of thirty-five thousand naira, N35,000.00 and after the delivery, we will pay a balance of sixty thousand naira, N60,000.00. It was hell that day. My husband started running helter skelter and to worsen the situation, we were to pay before the doctor could attend to us", she continued.

"Unfortunately, we couldn't afford the bills, the balance and so we sought help in traditional birth attendants, TBA in my area and as God would have it, everything went well. And now, I am pregnant again, history has repeated itself, but, I don't pray to go through that rigour again. That is why we are begging our Governor to help call back all these doctors so that our lives can be secured", she lamented.

Some of the women who had different opinions on the issue said, "we don't even know why doctors should go on strike in the first place when all what they know is to refer people to their private hospitals. At least, we know of some doctors in this hospital that refer people to their private hospitals. They even recommend those hospitals for us to go and conduct scan and anyone who fails to bring report from those hospitals will not be recognised or even be attended to.

"So, if they decided to go on strike at the expense of people's lives then, God will judge them accordingly", they chorused. The biggest problem is the issue with baby doctors that are newly employed. They are not experienced and their mode of operation has been totally different from the former doctors. We believe the Governor should consider our lives and recall the doctors so that there can be peace in this state.

"Government is aware of our predicament and it shouldn't be compounded by sending doctors away. I believe there is room for dialogue so that everybody can be happy thereafter. And the doctors should be placed in strategic situations especially to oversee the baby doctors so that they can learn faster", another patient cuts in.

Asked if there is need to curb the excesses of doctors, she said, "For me, I believe government has a lot to do in that regard. For instance, there should be a task force put in place to monitor the activities of doctors such that if there is anyone who engages in any funny act like diverting drugs to his or her private hospital, such a person should be sanctioned. And anyone who refers patients to his private hospital should be reported and government must take lawful decision on such individual", she opined.

Meanwhile, after the court ruling sometime in the week, Chairman of the Medical Guild, Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote said: "It was a fair outing, the Judge pronounced there would not be eviction of any of the doctors and we are rest assured on that. By and large it was a fair outing and we are satisfied."

On the eviction order, he noted that the Medical Guild was aware of the counter order given by Governor Babatunde Fashola, even though there were no documents to back it up. "We could not rely on that and we were only being careful. Now those who have moved out can return based on the court ruling".

Face-off dangerous as it involves lives

Meanwhile, when Saturday Vanguard visited Lagos metropolis, it was revealed that the on-going problem has not only put fear in the minds of the people but it is also capable of endangering the lives of the people of the State.

For Mr. Akin Jimoh, a media practitioner and programme director, Devcoms Networks, "the on-going problem has shown a breakdown in communication between the State government and the doctors. It shows that dialogue has not been able to solve the problem. Both parties are holding to their own polemics without looking at the other side of the coin.

"And in a situation like this, nobody can say, he or she is totally right or the other party is totally wrong. So, we have to look at it holistically. What is the state of health care delivery in Lagos State and when we are talking about health care delivery, is it only in the teaching hospitals alone? We are talking holistically at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels. This situation has been there from time immemorial.

A typical scene at an emergency ward of a Lagos State government hospital before the protracted doctors strike.

And everybody knows that during the military regime, what they usually say is that "our hospitals have been turned to mere consulting clinics". They give that as a reason for taking over. But the question is, are these hospitals up to standard at the moment? Have they really turned the bend to say that we have standardised health facilities in the country? It is not enough when we point at one facility and we leave out others.

"The question is, do we have a better healthcare system? Are they being professional about their jobs? Do we have situations whereby, we have been able to address some of the common health issues in the state? People are quick to pass blames but we need to remember that individuals have a role to play. If there is an agreement, what are the terms of the agreement? The truth is that Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, has been at the fore-front of the issue that has to do with medical practice in this country.

"When one looks at the agitation during the military regime, during the Buhari/Idiagbon era, issues like this made some doctors flee the country for fear of arrest. And when one takes a look at the on-going crisis, the same people that sacked doctors now were part of the people who were agitating for better medical service in those days but now they form part of the team that is sacking those doctors.

"And if the government says, it is bringing in new doctors, the question that will be going through the minds of the people is the fact that the new doctors are without experience and so, how do they fit into attending to critical issues? If an inexperienced doctor is brought in to attend to patients, then the lives of the patients are at stake. And in a situation where three hundred inexperienced doctors are employed to replace professionals and experts, then, there is need for a sober reflection.

"And if government says, it would bring in private doctors who will provide service free of charge; the question is, is that the whole truth because I am yet to see a doctor who will leave his own private job to go and work freely for government. I see a situation whereby people will suffer. The fact is that some of the doctors' mates have sought greener pastures in other countries but these ones have decided to work in their fathers' land.

"And unfortunately, the same doctor will be expected to oversee more than one hundred patients in a day. Those are pressing issues in our federal, state and local government levels. And when we start passing blames, the fact is that lots of people are dying.

"So, there is need for both parties to dialogue. It is a shame that those who are in power in this country get their treatment outside the country whenever they have issues. A good leader will access healthcare from within and send their children to public schools so that public schools will change", he concluded.

For Dauda Daud, a motor cyclist, the present situation in the healthcare system is not encouraging and therefore, it shouldn't be compounded. According to her, "when two elephants fight, the grass suffers. I believe people will suffer because the new doctors are not experienced. The truth is that the two parties should learn to swallow their pride and come to a compromise so that the doctors can return to their work or the poor masses are the ones that would bear the brunt.

"If government is going to employ new doctors, they must be well trained on the job. Sack of doctors in this country is a taboo because we are talking about the lives of people. Already, the scenario in hospital environment is not encouraging because there are no drugs and no good healthcare facilities. Negligence and other factors are discouraging people from accessing good healthcare service in the country. It's just like a child who is not being taken care of. Such a child will be violent in the city.

"So, if the state government refuses to take care of its doctors, then, there will be a problem. And for things to be better, government must be responsible. The truth is that most of the government officials do not access healthcare in this country and so it is not possible for them to know what people are passing through especially since the strike problem began."

A man who does not want his name mentioned said, "It is wrong for government to have sacked its doctors. Instead, more deliberations and dialogue should have been encouraged. Government should be humble enough to listen to the yearnings of the doctors instead of sacking them", he said.

Meanwhile, Badmus' opinion is that the two parties should learn to consider other people when taking certain decisions. "I think the two sides should come to a compromise because it is a serious issue that involves lives. "And by the virtue of the doctor's profession, it is a sensitive thing and that is why they should put their plans into consideration. I think, there is need for both parties to sit together in a round table and look for a way forward. The new doctors are not experienced and therefore it is dangerous to be playing with people's lives.

"My opinion is that government should reinstate the doctors. The new doctors should not be used as instruments to jeopardise the lives of the people,"he added . Another motorist also joined in the support for everybody to settle the case amicably. "It is better to settle amicably with experienced doctors because the new doctors do not have what it takes to take care of patients especially critical conditions".

This sack has the potential of completely destroying the sector - Dr. Odusote

Meanwhile the Chairman of the Medical Guide, Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote spoke after the court ruling during the week on the pronouncement by the Justice Benedict Kanyip of the Industrial Court, that Lagos state government should step down the eviction notice it served the sacked doctors.

According to him, "it was a fair outin. The judge pronounced there would not be eviction of any of the doctors and we are rest assured on that. By and large, it was a fair outing and we are satisfied."

On the eviction order, he noted that the Medical Guild was aware of the counter order given by Governor Babatunde Fashola even though there were no documents to back it up. "We could not rely on that and we were only being careful. Now, those who have moved out can move back based on the court ruling.

Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote, described the decision of the state government to negotiate with medical doctors after they have been sacked as deceptive. "I do not think this government realises what it has done. This sack has the potential of completely destroying the health care system of the state.[/b]You will remember that during the Buhari era when doctors were sacked, that led to a massive exodus of doctors to other countries and that was the beginning of brain drain which the nation has not recovered from.[b] What is going to happen is that there will be a massive brain drain of doctors in Lagos.

"It is just unfortunate that the Lagos State government is embarking on this illegal act at a time the Federal Government is still trying to bring back those doctors sacked during the Buhari era from abroad. I'm sure those that want to come back are going to have a rethink."

Asked what would happen if the doctors are called back, he said, "We will not reject any opportunity to serve this country in any capacity but this government is lying. On Saturday, we were at the negotiation table with this government but meanwhile, they had signed our dismissal letters on Friday before coming to the meeting and they are now saying they are open to dialogue".

The commissioner told us at the meeting and I quote him that this (sacking of doctors) was the government policy and they were not going back that was why the Saturday meeting was deadlocked. If they are serious, the whole world will know, how can you say I have employed people to take over your job and you say you are open to dialogue? What is the dialoguing about?

On the massive sack, he said, "The matter is still court and it is capable of challenging this illegal act of government. Thank God, there is still rule of law in Nigeria and Lagos as part of Nigeria must believe in the rule of law. To let Nigerians know, the Nigerian Medical Association has taken over the issue, the Medical Guild will now take a back seat. This is an assault on the medical profession.

"This profession has being in existence before anyone of them came into government. And after they leave, the medical profession will continue to exist, so there is no government that can kill the medical profession. This is happening because these people, the commissioners do not use public hospitals. Until we are able to pass a law that criminalises any government official from going abroad for medical treatment, they will not look inward and fix the health sector of the country", he said

Sacked Lagos doctors decry N33.4m financial shortfall from CONMESS

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/05/sacked-lagos-doctors-decry-n33-4m-financial-shortfall-from-conmess/

As health services remain grounded in Federal and state hospitals in Lagos in the wake of an indefinite strike by doctors, doctors under the auspices of the Medical Guild have decried a monthly financial shortfall of N33, 477, 508.00 in the implementation of the full Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, CONMESS, in Lagos state even as they are alleging they were tricked into entering agreement with the state government.

Findings by Vanguard showed that the sum in question includes the total financial shortfall from the monthly wage package of the 1,282 doctors under the Lagos state Health Service Commission and the 98 honorary consultants at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH.

It was gathered that the shortfall, which the doctors are claiming was part of the initial calculation of the CONMESS as approved by the state government, is currently the bone of contention in the ongoing industrial dispute in the State’s health sector which culminated in the sacking of 788 doctors on May 4.

The doctors are alleging that the Lagos state government reneged in an agreement in which it committed to implement the full payment of the CONMESS as calculated and presented to Governor Babatunde Fashola who approved its implementation. It would be recalled that the Lagos state government through the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris and the Head of Service, Mr. Adesegun Ogunlewe, had repeatedly insisted that the state was already paying the full CONMESS, level-for-level, and challenged the Medical Guild to prove otherwise.

Commenting on the development, Secretary of the Medical Guild, Dr. Idris Durojaiye said the monthly financial shortfall per doctor ranged from N9, 371.20 for the lowest ranked House Officer on Level 10, to N70, 950.00 for the highest ranked honorary Chief Consultant on Level 17.

In an exclusive interview, Durojaiye told Vanguard that the shortfall was part of the original amount approved for the doctors but was never paid as stated in the said agreement.

His words: “It was full CONMESS that was approved, but it is not being paid now. The shortfall is the amount that was cut off. Our initial calculation contained this shortfall and was part of the agreement presented to the Governor and was approved. But the government never paid up as agreed.”

Further, he stated: “When there is a new salary scale, the principle of unilateral conversion takes place. If you are on a certain step on one level in one salary scale, you are expected to transit to the same step and level in the new salary scale, but the state government has not done that. They did not follow the agreement but have dropped people in steps.

“Apart from the matter of Teaching Allowances and entry points, the issue of demotion of doctors through the dropping of steps is a major issue. When the agreement was signed, it was agreed we wouldn’t be at comparative disadvantage. We talked about no compression, but they did not do that. They tricked us.”

The Medical Guild Secretary said the CONMESS was designed to achieve was to set a minimum benchmark across the Federation and to prevent internal and external brain drain within the medical profession. “It would keep everyone on the same baseline and at their jobs wherever they are in the country. It would also prevent external brain drain as any improvement in wages would keep people in their countries.”

Giving a rundown of the genesis of the dispute, Durojaiye recalled that the Medical Guild had been agitating for full implementation of the CONMESS since 2009 and had made several representations to the state government on the matter.

“In November 2011, the Lagos State Government agreed to pay CONMESS as approved in the Federal Government Circular SWC/S/04/S.410/220 released by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission. This document specifically indicated government’s acceptance to pay and also not to place Lagos State doctors at any disadvantage whatsoever relative to their colleagues anywhere else in the country.”

According to Durojaiye, the government later rescinded on the agreement but an agreement was finally signed in March 2011 between the Lagos State Government and the Medical Guild to implement CONMESS in full.

With reference to a letter, LGS/HOS/06/Vol.VI/30 dated November 19,2010 from the Head of Service, Mr. Adesegun Ogunlewe to the Chairman of the Medical Guild, Durojaiye argued that government committed to full implementation of the CONMESS. He pointed out a section of the letter entitled: “Re: Medical/Dental Officers Salary Review” which read as follows….”that with effect from January 2011, government will implement a mutually agreeable wage review which will not put doctors in Lagos state hospitals at a comparative disadvantage to their counterparts in other health institutions.”

A copy of the second agreement dated March 24, 2011, entitled: “Re: Agreement With The Medical Guild”, which was made available to Vanguard reads as follows: “On March 24, 2011, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu met with the doctors regarding the ongoing strike and an agreement had been reached. During the meeting the following points were agreed by both parties: (i) payment of CONMESS salary in full (no compression) to all doctors; (ii) one month salary bonus; (iii) allowances will be classified as non-taxable. i.e., no taxes will be deducted on these allowances (iv) Further welfare packages will be developed to improve working conditions for all healthcare providers within the state.”

The agreement which was signed by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chairman Henry Ajomale and Dr. Jide Idris, further noted that: “Based on their dialogue and agreement, it is expected that the Medical Guild will meet with their Congress and call off the strike soonest.”

According to Durojaiye, the agreement included the cost of implementing CONMESS in full. “The Medical Guild suspended its strike action in good faith, despite the earlier reneging of the Lagos State government, in order to allow implementation of the agreement.

“However, the Lagos State Government failed to honour the agreement and chose to implement the salary structure the way it wanted. For the past one year, the Medical Guild has been writing, meeting and pleading with government to correct the shortfall in implementation of CONMESS, but government chose to shift and default on its promises,” he stressed.

With this Seun self will want the match go extra time.

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naptu2: There are people looking for job. Ev-erybody is leaving the private sector to come to the public sector. How many states are paying the salary we are paying? Check it, how many states? We have a huge workforce. They are so comfortable many of them don’t go to work, they run their private practices. I’m a doctor that’s why I can’t speak out be-cause I will put my profession in jeopardy. There must be a stop to this because at the end of the day, it is the people that will keep on suffering when you just wake up one day and you say you are going on a warning strike; you don’t care about the patient. That’s not how we were trained.

Hmmmm! many of them dont go to work and the govt was paying them until recently? I dont want to believe LASG was paying Drs that were absent from work when they were not even on strike. May be those involved were also sacked then but was not mentioned in the discussion.

Biggyd2: beneli:

The bottom line - if you are still single, leave like yesterday . . . you're worth more than the nonsense being hurled at you in Naija. When you’re more comfortable and have the privilege due you as a Doctor, to want the finer things of life, you can then afford to say; ‘it’s not really about the money’ . . .


Exactly. Maybe by the time the doctors all leave, then the government will go and hire consultants from abroad and of course pay them peanuts then. :-\

Lagos Drs. Those that have ears should listen. Wise men on the forum have spoken. Dialogue with your legs it is better than never. U have potentials of passing any license exam, start now before its too late. who says you cant even get employed directly from naija as expatriate in countries or NGos where you will be better appreciated!

Carlos tevez refuses to apologize to fergie,Initially said he was carried away, changed tune on arrival back in Argentina. He Said fergie is being treated like the president of England! I think he should not have said anything again. what do you think about his action?

http://www.nationalturk.com/en/carlos-tevez-rip-fergie-sign-unrepentant-tevez-refuses-to-apologise-to-alex-ferguson-18133

Carlos Tevez Rip Fergie banner : Unrepentant Tevez refuses to apologise to Alex Ferguson
17 Mayıs, 2012 | 15:14

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Carlos Tevez not apologetic over Rip Fergie banner
Manchester City’s troubled Carlos Tevez : I will not apologise to Sir Alex Ferguson over the RIP Fergie banner i held at Premier League title parade. Is Fergie president of England, eh ?.. Controversy afoot, eh ?

Manchester / NationalTurk – Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has suggested that United manager Sir Alex Ferguson receives special treatment and states he will not apologise for his ‘ RIP Fergie ‘ banner he raised during Manchester City’s open-top bus parade to celebrate their Premier League title win. The trouble boy Manchester City striker is rock solid unrepentant over ‘RIP Fergie’ banner. The ‘ RIP Fergie ‘ banner, passed to Tevez by a funny City fan, is thought to have been a reference to a remark made by Sir Alex Ferguson 3 years ago when asked if Manchester United would ever be underdogs against Manchester City, their then- hihg spending but cit. ‘ Not in my lifetime ‘ was Alex Ferguson ‘s answer then.

Manchester City vs Manchester United : This time its Tevez vs Alex Ferguson over ‘RIP Fergie’ placard

The Argentine striker’s club Manchester City have already apologised to the Manchester United manager over the Tevez Rip Fergie incident. Manchester City in fact were quick to issue a statement expressing ‘sincerest apologies’ Manchester United’s boss Alex Ferguson and accepting that Carlos Tevez had made a ‘ significant error of judgement ‘in brandishing the ‘ Rip Fergie ‘ banner.

Manchester United chief executive David Gill applauded their fiercest rivals for the prompt apology, telling NationalTurk London News: ‘ The banner was silly and inappropriate but Manchester City acted with commendable speed to apologize. ‘

Making significant error of judgements seem to be the habit of Carlos Tevez, who acts meanwhile as the #1 City fan, despite declaring only a couple of months ago he does not want to stay at City and work with Manchester City manager Mancini anymore.

Carlos Tevez not apologetic over Rip Fergie banner : Alex Ferguson is treated like the president of England

Carlos Tevez stated further on Rip Fergie banner reported by the Argentinian website ole.com.ar: ‘ It seems like Ferguson is the president of England. Carlos Tevez said of Sir Alex Ferguson: ‘Every time he speaks badly about a player or says terrible things about me, nobody says that he has to apologise.’ buut’ when Fergie speaks badly about a player, nobody says the Sir has to apologise but when someone comes out with a joke, you have to say sorry. I don’t say sorry. There is no such a thing. Everybody has to be clever, eh ? ‘

Accusing the Man. United manager of having ‘ said the worst about me ‘ in the past, the 28-year-old Tevez added: ‘ There’s no relationship at all between me and Alex.’

Tevez’s comments, made to reporters in Argentina and carried on the Spanish-language website, www.ole.com.ar, appear to contradict the striker’s initially contrite response.

Carlos Tevez : A career in Manchester comprised by eating humble pies ?

Carlos Tevez who joined rivals Manchester City in 2009 after leaving Manchester United, said at the time: ‘ I got carried away in the excitement of the moment and I certainly didn’t mean any disrespect to Sir Alex Ferguson, who I admire as a man and a manager.’

Tevez was top scorer in each of his first two years at City, but this season was punctuated by a self-imposed spell back in Argentina after an argument with manager Roberto Mancini about his alleged refusal to warm up in a Champions League game with Bayern Munich.

Roberto Mancini had said Carlos Tevez would not feature for his side again but brought him back in for the title run-in, as they had severe problems with another bad-boy of the City squad in Mario Balotelli.

Tevez impressed on his return to Manchester City, scoring four goals in 10 games, and featured in the final-day win over QPR that clinched their maiden and unbeliavable Premier League title.

Roberto Mancini told BBC Sport this week that managing Tevez was not difficult and taht the Argentine is a good guy. Mancini added ‘ We had a good relationship always.’

Tevez himself expressed regret in his own statement, saying he got “carried away in the excitement of the moment” and did not mean any disrespect to his former United manager.

But on arriving back in his native Argentina for his summer break, Tevez seems to have changed his tune with reporters.

Men! Naija is a wrong place to practise as a Doctor. Lagos Drs I no envy you at all! I believe there is light at the end of the tunnel, Connect with your colleagues home and abroad and restrategize.

ondo_boi: anthony obi is the former governor of osun state...if you ask me, i'll say he's a good man

Are you sleeping or what?

Hmnnnnnn! just thinking The LASG and their supporters, do they have Drs in their families? as a son or daughter or relatives? if they do are they working for Lagos state or overseas? I am very sure at least one or two people in govt will have Dr(s) in his/her family but not sure whether they are in the employment of the state, if so are they also sacked?

SeanBell: Please the affected doctors should relocate,there are countries out there even within Africa that would appreciate you plus you'd work in very standard and up to date facilities.
Barbados,T&T,U.K,U.S,Australia,U.A.E, just to mention a few.Just give yourself at most a year to pass the professional exams then move with your whole family.The working hours are heavy sometimes but you are paid for it and exactly on time.There's a pension scheme and many other benefits.It's never too late,use this time to restrategise jare.

Well said, it may not even take up to a year to settle down in some countries.

LeoMax: I reserve my comment.

Till when?

norrisman: Unfortunately these 700 doctors missed the boat and should have left those shores long ago. I dont know about the US but until Aoril last year it was quite easy for doctors to apply for a work visa, come in, do their PLAB while doing other jobs to keep body and soul together and thenstart working almost immediately after passing PLAB even if it is just as a locum. Things have changed now and it is more difficult if not nigh on impossible with the current visa regime.

It is a shame that this is what they are rewarded with after staying back and sacrificing for their country.

@ norrisman they have not completely missed the boat, they can still look within Africa, Carribean, Australasia. Is a matter of having necessary info, getting focussed and taking a giant step.

Eko oni ba je o! o ba je ti! Negotiation after sacking its becoming like a naija home video, we are watching

HMMMM keep on taking side instead of calling on Government to rise up to his responsibility. This is just the beginning, beside the last time I checked the poor masses suffer more whenever there is strike and not the government. May be all the health workers should be sacked!

Hmmmm, Drs in the house. see batching from the naive Nlanders. [b] @ kobojunkie [/b] are you a doctor? You seem to have better understanding of the issue at hand. 1000 doctors sacked, people claimed they also work in private practice or hospitals, How many of these 1000 drs really have private practice or work in private hospitals. Someone posted they have started recruiting newbies which you cant compare with the experience ones. keep supporting the government when two elephants fight the grass suffers. The issue of better working condition and increament in salary have been a recurring decimal between the medical guild and the LASG, the doctors should have dialogue with their legs and move elsewhere where they will be better appreciated. For those that think they couldnot easily get a job. Doctors are high in demands in most nations what they need is information, take necessary steps and will get employed elsewhere home or abroad.

allycat: I am one of the sacked doctors and for those that say good for us I say thank you. My department in LASUTH had 4 consultants and 3 residents, while the corresponding department in LUTH had 4 consultants and 18 residents. We have been trying to attract young doctors to join the department but nobody wants to come because of the unusually heavy workload and low pay compared to other teaching hospitals. So now they have sacked us I wonder where they will get the willing horses to do the work. Lagos state health service had only one active neurosurgeon and 2 cardiothoracic surgeons who have also been sacked. I guess they will bring in some Indians who will agree to earn half of what they were earning. Residents in LUTH and other teaching hospitals get accommodation in the hospital premises while those inLASUTH are expected to sleep in their cars when rooms are full and in some units if they are alone may be on call for a whole month at a stretch. Anyway persoally I welcome the rest for the past one year I have been doing my job plus the job of a collegue who was on study leave. I could have refused to see his patients and nobody could have done me jack but I chose to cos I felt it wasn't their fault. Now my phone has been ringing off the hook the same patients are begging to see me privately and unfortunately for them, I have health isssues for which I would rather rest than take their money.

@ allycat. you remind me of a friend who was the only resident in LASUTH ENT department some years back, he had 3 consultants. He was on call everyday, he got tired of it moved to LUTH and presently in SA. I really feel u.

which kind list they want release sef? na jamb university admission or na employment list? I beg we need action not one yeye list wey go create more confusion and anarchy.

I remember him for the wonderful goals he scored for the national team. May God forgive him and his soul shall rest in peace. Amen.

nk: Unfortunately, I didnt win but no problem sha, will wait for October selection. Not in a hurry to leave my motherland.