Chief Medical Directors and Managing Directors of federal tertiary hospitals have been directed to “immediately” commence the use of consultants and doctors on the National Youth Service Corps to provide routine services.
The Federal Government also directed that locum staff should “be brought in when and where necessary to forestall services’ disruption when applicable and affordable”.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, gave the directive in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday.
He was reacting to the nationwide strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors over the non-payment of their COVID-19 hazard allowance and other demands.
He said, “lt is with deep concern that l view the ongoing strike by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors which commenced yesterday (Tuesday) September 7, 2020.
“We must remember that the primary duty of doctors and all health workers is to save lives. Embarking on a strike in this time that the country is battling with the COVlD-19 pandemic is ill-timed and ill-advised… Emergency services should continue to run as before. Routine services should be maintained with Consultants, NYSC Doctors. Locum staffers to be brought in when and where necessary to forestall services disruption when applicable and affordable.