By Banji Ayoola
Three weeks into doctors’ strike in Ekiti State, medical and health workers in the state have raised an alarm that the alleged poor service conditions prevailing are crippling the state’s Health sector.
They said that the condition they are experiencing, if left unchecked urgently by the state government, may be disastrous and result to a mass exodus of medical and health personnel from the state.
They spoke on Saturday in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, under the umbrella of the National Association of Government General and Medical Dental Practitioners, NAGGMDP, Ekiti State chapter, at a press conference addressed jointly by the association’s chairman, Dr Adeniyi Kolawole and Secretary, Dr Toyese Adeleye.
On the three weeks old doctors strike in the state, they accused government of turning deaf ears and blind eyes to the association members’ ordeal in the course of their providing human services.
They noted that it was sad that the state government remains unperturbed about the germane and critical issues raised and the implications on the people of the state as regards the health aspects of the Ekiti Project.
In their words: “It is an unfortunate and painful decision for us to proceed on the industrial action especially at a critical time like this, but we have done everything humanly possible to get the Government to do the needful, all to no avail.
“The society believes doctors should under no reason down tools, this idea we share passionately when things are done normally.
“However, as things become unbearable after several years of pleas, lobbying, position papers and letters that fell on deaf ears, one will be left with no other option than to take this painful path.
“Especially when the health and mental well being of the careers-doctors is now at risk and the impending systemic failure looming within the health sector stares at us as stakeholders.”
They lamented three weeks of no medical service in the 22 General Hospitals in a state of over 3.2 million people, calling on well meaning Ekiti people to prevail on government to look into their demands.
They said: “We understand the risks and implications of an industrial action especially on the poor citizens, who do not have the wherewithal to seek medical help overseas as many of the privileged few in high places.
“This is even proving a luxury as COVID-19 is teaching us new realities of ensuring we invest in our health systems which will be able to respond well in times of crises, rather than spend valuable forex on needless medical tourism.
“It has now become necessary to take steps to ensure that the poor masses are seen in befitting Hospital environments by safe doctors who are emotionally stable and with jobs minimal to moderate job satisfaction.
“We have been trying hard to get the ears of the government for the past 10 years on issues relating to qualitative healthcare delivery viz-a-viz the welfare and safety of our members, but the narrative has been the same of wait till things get better.”
They also alleged that only Doctors and Health workers in the employment of the Hospitals Management Board in Ekiti state who have never received a dime as Hazard allowance for over 10 years, and are experiencing poor working conditions causing mass exodus of personnel.
According to them: “This is now the reason why the service of our dear state is no longer attractive to new medical graduates.
“The older ones seek greener pastures within the state and neighbouring states with better conditions of service as well as better quality of life as soon as the opportunity is available.
“This has resulted in a progressive decline in the number of doctors from as much as 180 to as low as just 71 currently.
“We recommend that the government should as a matter of urgency fix our deplorable operating theatres, consulting rooms, provision of reasonable quantities of Personal Protective Equipments PPEs) and other basic protective materials like face masks and gloves.
“We equally opine that intervention across the line of remuneration will prevent the mass exodus of doctors from our state among others.”
The union prayed for Governor Kayode Fayemi’s quick recovery from COVID-19 infection, as they encouraged Nigerians and the world at large.
Their words: “We received the news of our Governor’s positive COVID-19 test with deep concern. We pray God grant Governor Fayemi quick recovery and sound health.
“To the world, we say be courageous, this time also shall pass.”
