BY CHIOMA OBINNA

Prof. O. Chukwu and President Goodluck Jonathan

AS the doctors’ strike in Lagos and certain States gathered momentum last week, hospital patients and others seeking medical care remained locked out of Federal government hospitals across the Federation.

The scenario has persisted for several days running up till time of this report. The hospitals were put under lock and key by health workers in the Federal health institutions. They are on indefinite strike to press home demands for better welfare package from their employers.

Even emergency cases were being turned down while able in-patients were hastily discharged. Lagosians have been particularly worse-off.

Both the State and Federal health institutions have been shut. An instance was the pathetic scene Friday last week, when a road accident victim was turned back at the emergency ward of a teaching hospital in the city. The victim, a young man, died helplessly on the doorstep of the emergency ward. The same scenario has been played out severally in other state hospitals where health workers are on strike.

Scores of lives have been in jeopardy every minute of the day in and out of these hospitals. Indeed many more hapless patients are expected to lose their lives as the only alternative in most of the states that are presently hit by the medical doctors’ strike due to failure of the various state governments to pay the almighty Consolidated Medical Salary Structure(CONMESS).

It is argued that even with doctors at their duty posts,in all the federal government hospitals not even a semblance of health care services was available to desperate patients. Right now, the average Nigerian is in dread of any ailment that would require a hospital visit. This development has become a pattern in all government-owned hospitals across the Federation, and critical observers say it leaves much to be desired.

Over the past year, the health sector has witnessed serious set back following incessant strikes in the sector. Notable is the on going strike by medical doctors in many States of the Federation. With the pillars of the health institution embarking on a nationwide strike, there is real concern about just how many Nigerians will be left alive to witness or participate in the forthcoming general elections? It is even more surprising to observers that government at the top has remained somehow indifferent in resolving the issues at stake.

While it is admissible that series of strikes could potentially facilitate total collapse of the nation’s health sector, no one is ultimately held responsible for the wanton loss of innocent lives lost during these strikes. Indeed, who asks questions when those in position to avert the situation can confidently take the next available flight to any countries of their choice for medical tourism?

Nigerians are asking why frequent utilisation of strike is the popular option whenever there is disagreement between health workers and government. Must government allow things to de before doing something?

As respected professionals, health workers are expected to toe the path of dialogue and exhaust all avenues because their vocation involves saving lives. “When two elephants fight, the grass suffers,” says an adage. No doubt The Nigerian masses have been at the receiving end since the emergence of the latest series of nationwide health sector strikes.

The latest strike was sparked off by disagreement over payment of teaching and rural posting allowances for health professionals, as well as the skipping on CONTISS 10 and appointment of health professionals cadres as consultants.

The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu in a statement claimed that all the agitations of the health workers are seriously being looked at and threatened to withhold the salary of any worker who refused to work.

Undaunted, the health workers stuck to their guns and disregarded the “No Work, No Pay” circular, describing it as “mere threat to jeopardise their efforts in fighting for their rights”. Currently, there is a stalemate. Federal hospitals remain shut. Sadly, the ultimate loser is the patient. Does the opinion of the masses really count as the warring parties flex muscles? The answer is blowing in the wind.ing allowances for health professionals, as well as the skipping on CONTISS 10 and appointment of health professionals cadres as consultants.

The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu in a statement claimed that all the agitations of the health workers are seriously being looked at and threatened to withhold the salary of any worker who refused to work.

Undaunted, the health workers stuck to their guns and disregarded the “No Work, No Pay” circular, describing it as “mere threat to jeopardise their efforts in fighting for their rights”. Currently, there is a stalemate. Federal hospitals remain shut. Sadly, the ultimate loser is the patient. Does the opinion of the masses really count as the warring parties flex muscles? The answer is blowing in the wind.