Medical doctors in Rivers State have threatened to embark on strike should the state government fail to accede to their demands on the issue of poor health facilities and inadequate manpower.
The doctors, who spoke under the auspices of the National Association of Government Medical and Dental Practitioners in Rivers State said they would down tools from January 9, 2017 if issues of rot in government health centres, hospitals and inadequate manpower were not addressed.
Speaking with newsmen in Obia/Akpor, the Chairman of the association, Dr. Sofiri Peterside, described the proposed strike as the last option should the current administration in the state fail to look into the challenges affecting the operation of the medical service in the state.
Recalling that his group had already given a 21-day ultimatum that would elapsed on January 9, 2017, Peterside warned that medical practitioners in the state would not fail to embark on strike should the government refuse to agree to their demands.
Peterside pointed out that some medical practitioners’ gratuities and pensions were paltry because they were not promoted while they were in service, adding that government should implement the new salary structure.
According to him, “For over six years now, starting from the last administration, we have been complaining and writing to government on the same issues.
“We are saying that government should expedite action on the implementation of the new salary structure. That government should improve on the poor condition of the health centres.
“You need to visit the health centre and see what look like an empty hall. Government must employ more nurses and doctors. You can imagine that government has only three consultants and six surgeons.
“Many of medical practitioners retired without being promoted. We want these issues to be look into. It is not only when we take to the streets that government should listen to us. That is why we are giving them this period to take decision or face strike action.”
He maintained that the proposed strike was not aimed at undoing anybody, adding that the need to improve the health centres and other issues made it necessary for the medical practitioners to drew government attention to their plight.
(Punch)
