By Ochiaka Ugwu
The National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Mohammed Garba has described the continued strike by resident doctors and their consequent sack by Federal Government as worrisome.
Garba who made the statement in a press briefing in Abuja, said that it was highly unpatriotic for the doctors to embark on strike when the nation needs them most.
“This is a very worrisome development in view of the outbreak of the Ebola epidemic. While we do not support the continued strike action by Resident Doctors, it is very disturbing that the stoppage of Residency Programme in the Federal Government hospitals has put 16, 000 Resident Doctors across the country out of work” .
Garba who said the nation cannot afford any strike action in the face of Ebola Virus which was threatening humanity, called on the striking doctors to resume work immediately and unconditionally.
He reminded them of their ‘Hippocratic Oath’ which appalled that professionals who have sworn to protect the sanctity of life will down tool at a time their services were needed most, urging them to take a cue from their American colleagues who in the face of emergency cancelled all forms of leave and vacation to await the arrival of two Ebola victims repatriated from Liberia.
He admonished them to borrow a leaf from their American counterparts whose act patriotism and sacrifice was expected from them at this material time.
On Ebola Outbreak, Mr. Garba said the union was aware of the current challenges faced by the nation since the unfortunate outbreak of the disease which has put the citizen in perpetual fear as the world of conventional medicine was yet to find a cure.
The Kano state-born journalist noted the challenges were so awesome, to the extent that World Health Organization and the Federal Government have described it as a public health emergency of international concern.
Garba who commended the Federal and Lagos state government for their quick and proactive response, said the action taken by the duo was responsible for the low casualty figure.
He tasked government to come out with clear guidelines on how to protect all medical professionals and ensure that they are not stigmatized as a result of their sacrifice and service to the nation saying that such measures should include life insurance and other welfare incentives.
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