Kogi govt threatens to sack all health workers on strike

dimeji akinloye

May 5, 2017 7:35 PM

The State's acting Head of Service, Mrs. Kehinde Lawal, said workers who participate in the strike are bidding their jobs goodbye.

Governor Yahaya Bello.

The

The state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association had directed its members to embark on an indefinite strike over their unpaid salaries.

NAN reports that barely 48 hours into the strike, health activities have been grounded in most state government-owned hospitals across the state.

In a circular rolled out on Friday, May 5, the State's acting Head of Service, Mrs. Kehinde Lawal, said workers who participate in the strike are bidding their jobs goodbye.

Lawal also said that the state will adopt 'no work, no pay' policy for any doctor on strike.

She said, "It is equally noteworthy for every union to realise that the best way to resolve any issue is through peaceful dialogue and not strike action.

"In view of the foregoing, any staff of Kogi State Government that decides to go on strike is hereby notified that such person will have his/her job at stake.

"The policy of ‘No Work No Pay’ will be adopted for any worker that embarks on strike action."

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NAN investigations revealed that the ever busy state Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, the state capital, had few or no patients.

One of the patients, Mrs Jumai Usman, said that no doctor was available to attend to her.

The patient added that the development has forced many patients to patronise private hospitals.

She urged the state government and the NMA to dialogue and reach a mutual agreement, to save the lives of patients, especially the poor who can not afford the high cost of bills at the private hospitals.

dimeji akinloye