Mark commends Jonathan for reinstating 16,000 resident Doctors

Posted by admin Legislature, Senate Monday, September 1st, 2014

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

ABUJA – SENATE President, Senator David Mark has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for reinstating about 16,000 resident doctors that were sacked during the two months nationwide strike embarked upon by the Nigeria Medical Doctors, NMA.

Senator Mark had made several efforts to mediate between the striking doctors and the federal government over the disagreement which was primarily on the welfare of the doctors.

The federal government at the heat of the strike coupled with the health challenges in the country occasioned by the outbreak of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, suspended residency programme in all the federal hospitals in the country.

But the NMA in its meeting with Senator Mark and other federal government representatives had insisted that it was not going to call off the strike until government reversed the decision among other demands.

However, Senator Mark had pleaded with them to go back to work and give him the benefit of doubt to meet the executive arm of government to think otherwise about the sack.

It was on upon his intervention that the Doctors agreed to suspend the strike action and went back to work.

On hearing that the federal government has through the Health minister Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu reinstated the resident Doctors, Senator Mark who expressed delight thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for the gesture.

Senator Mark also appreciated the NMA for calling off the strike and directing its members to return to their duty posts forthwith .

He enjoined the Doctors to reciprocate the gesture by rendering excellent services they have been known for especially under the current health care challenges orchestrated by the out break of Ebola Virus Disease.

According to Senator Mark, “strike should be avoided at all cost especially in critical sectors like health. Dialogue remain the option to any dispute no matter the circumstances. I believe that some useful lessons have been learnt to prevent occurrence in future.”

He canvassed for patriotism from all citizens “because we need the support and cooperation of all to make progress and make our country a better place”.

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