This government is tired of strikes. Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris who confirmed this in an interview with Sola Ogundipe and Chioma Obinna,  was only echoing the thoughts of millions of Lagosians and Nigerians as a whole.

Idris who said the sacking of 788 striking doctors was a difficult decision for the government, however, argued that it was in the overall interest of the health sector. Denying claims that it was a premeditated decision, he said the priority now is to reduce the negative effects of the crisis on the patients. Excerpts:

BEFORE resorting to sacking, was there no other measure government could have taken to avoid the impasse between it and the Medical Guild?

Government did everything possible. The last time the doctors went on strike, the government gave many concessions and that was what formed the basis of the agreement.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris

That same agreement has been implemented. Contrary to the information they have been spreading, we are paying CONMESS figure for figure within the platform of the state health policy. It was on basis of the doctors’ agitation that we published the figures. If they have anything contrary, let them bring it up.

After the last strike, it was decided by both parties to resolve matters amicably by dialogue. The governor was actually at one of their meetings in which the doctors promised never to go on strike again. It was on that basis that since the beginning of the year, we have been discussing everything with them. The first notice of the strike was a text message that took us aback. We were surprised. Three weeks before then, we had met, issues were raised and we were going to call them to a meeting. So when the text came, we called them immediately to say that was not our agreement. We even showed them all the papers to state the position of our agreement.
The doctors have been saying the publication does not reflect the true position…

Well let them bring evidence. I actually went back to confirm after the publication and it was confirmed, two sources confirmed. So let them bring evidence that it is not so. Figure for figure, we are paying CONMESS.

Has government not violated the right of the patient to health?
To the best of my knowledge, government has not violated the patient’s rights. The role of government is to provide platform for the patients to access to health but when it comes to a situation where that access to health is being impeded by those who should provide it, then government has to do something about it.

But the hospitals are still shut…
As of today, none of the hospitals is shut. I have taken stock, yes services are down, but work is not completely paralysed.
How open is government to dialogue?

Government has taken advantage of many opportunities. For instance, the governor publicly appealed to them during the 1,800 days celebration, then the House of Assembly waded in, but the doctors insulted everybody. Since all this began, we held meetings and got concerned parties to listen to our own side of the story, and then they went and listened to their own side too.

We had two meetings, Thursday, during which we gave our own side. A past president of the NMA came to a meeting with us, I gave him all the information including letters written by the NMA Lagos branch and he said he had warned them not to write the letter. They are not telling the full story, only whipping up sentiments to the public. Government has tried, but things would get to a stage where steps have to be taken to prevent further degeneration. This action bordered on what holds the fabric together which is discipline and regulations. We had to save the situation.

Is there possibility that any of the sacked doctors may be reinstated or asked to reapply?
That matter is covered by civil service regulations. We will cross the bridge when we get there. I do not want to preempt anything.

Is the dismissal of 788 doctors a premeditated act as being touted in some circles or is it a quick measure to salvage the system?
No reasonable government that has the interest of the people at heart would plan to sack 788 doctors just like that it. It was not something government was happy to do and was actually a hard but inevitable decision.

We had to make a choice between sacking and the negative effects of not sacking on the overall system. First, if a house officer is paid teaching allowance, then others in the health system and even beyond will come forward and demand to be paid as well. The cost on government would be too much. Second, the attitude of the doctors leaves much to be desired.