“We owe rent, can’t send our children to school” – Doctors warn Kogi government over unpaid salaries
Doctors in Kogi have threatened to resign from their duties over non-payment of salaries by the state government.
The doctors are also dissatisfied about the dismissal of more than 30 of their members two years ago.
Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) acting chairman for the Kogi state chapter, Dr Godwin Tijani, lamented the poor state of doctors’ welfare in the state in a statement on Monday.
“As I am speaking with you, the doctors are monitoring the activity of the state as it regards the no work no pay policy government has adopted and the threat of sack if NMA failed to suspend the ongoing strike, anything otherwise the doctors will tender their resignation letter,” Tijani said.
“Remember, Kogi State has one of the poorest health indices in the federation and the lowest numbers of doctors in the country about 3.5% of the expected numbers. Majority of doctors in the state service have left because of poor welfare.
“Imagine a doctor evicted from his apartment because of his inability to pay house rent, his children sent out of school because he can not pay school fees, trekking to work and cannot eat well and you expect to get the best from such a doctor? You are putting innocent patients life at risk. A hungry and angry doctor is a dangerous doctor.”
Tijani added that the state Commissioner for Health had directed all hospitals to submit to his office attendance register on daily basis.
“Failure to comply will lead to termination of appointment,” Tijani further said in the statement.
“This is the level we are now instead of looking for amicable resolution, we are being faced with sack threat and intimidation on a daily basis,” he added.
