In a press statement issued yesterday, in Lagos, Chairman House Committee on Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa described the sack of over 16,000 Nigerian resident doctors by the Federal Government as ‘highly questionable’ on several fronts, adding that “chief amongst which is the present emergency medical situation currently plaguing our nation.”
Dabiri-Erewa noted that it is understandable that the Federal Government may have disagreements with the striking doctors, but opting to sack all resident doctors given the present predicament is unjustifiable, insensitive and inconsiderate.
Dabiri-Erewa noted that it is understandable that the Federal Government may have disagreements with the striking doctors, but opting to sack all resident doctors given the present predicament is unjustifiable, insensitive and inconsiderate.
She further said that the indefinite suspension of the residency programme also poses a threat to the development of the already ailing healthcare sector in Nigeria.
“Resident doctors form a great part of the foundation upon which the medical practice in Nigeria is built,” she stated.
“They are the younger generation of doctors who are constantly understudying their superiors with a hope to replacing some of our renowned consultants in later years. The message being sent by the Federal Government to our youthful doctors is clear and simple: ‘we do not care about you or your profession. To us you are worthless.’”
“This same message delivered in several other ways has caused tonnes of our doctors to continue to relocate to western countries.
“Their numbers have become so significant they have even formed associations in the United Kingdom and United States of America. For the sake our nation’s medical sector, this perception needs to be addressed promptly.
Dabiri-Erewa maintained that the action smirks of high handedness and gross irresponsibility both to the sacked doctors and to the nation’s citizenry who are the ultimate victims.
