7th November, 2024
By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano
Kano Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf has waded into the dispute between the state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the state Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Amina Abdullahi that has resulted in strike by doctors in the state.
The Commissioner was accused of publicly assaulting a female Doctor in one of the government hospitals in the state.
Following the ugly development, NMA demanded for the immediate sack of the Commissioner, demonstrating their anger through strike action.
But Governor Yusuf, on Thursday, reminded the striking Doctors that their action is putting the lives of 20 million Kano residents at risk.
He appealed to them to embrace dialogue for a better solution to the misunderstanding which is not healthy to the socio-economic development of the state.
While regretting the circumstances that led to the fracas, Governor Yusuf appealed to the Doctors to go back to the hospitals and save lives, as he receives and acts on the report of a Commission of Inquiry set up to investigate the matter.
The Governor also urged the NMA to allow the Commission to examine the development and take decisive action, while appealing to them to call off the strike.
Speaking with journalists in Government House, Governor Yusuf said: “I know how many industrial action planned by NMA that were subsequently shelved because of the mutual relationship between the doctors and Kano state government. The NMA knows how important the government value the welfare of doctors.
” When the issue was reported to me, I immediately set up committee to investigate and report back to me in 48 house. As I sit here, the report is already on my table and I am going to act on this immediately.
“And, if they now felt nobody can talk to them and they cannot wait for the report and the next action is strike. They can’t avoid to put the lives of 20 million innocent resident at risk because of fight between two females.”
Governor Yusuf who openly tendered apology, on behalf of the government, over the incident, urged NMA to call off their strike, “for the interest of those pregnant women waiting for delivery at the hospitals.”
Our Correspondent reports that the NMA, Kano State Chapter, had on Monday, issued an ultimatum to the Kano State Government, calling for the immediate dismissal of the Commissioner Amina, following her alleged assault on a female doctor.
Kano NMA Chairman, Dr. Abdurrahman Ali and Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim D. Muhammad, in a Statement, stated that the incident occurred on November 1 at the Emergency Paediatric Unit of Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital.
According to the statement, the Doctor was allegedly harassed and assaulted by the Commissioner and her entourage, including security personnel.
The altercation reportedly stemmed from the unavailability of a prescribed medication, a matter outside the doctor’s control, as she was managing over 100 patients alone.
The NMA described the incident as an abuse of power by an official expected to uphold humanitarian values.
“The Commissioner’s actions are a misuse of authority,” said Dr. Abdurrahman Ali, NMA Kano Chairman.
He added: “This assault not only undermines the health sector’s integrity but also violates the ethical obligations public officials should uphold. Such behaviour endangers healthcare workers and disrupts essential services.”
The statement noted that in an emergency meeting, the NMA Kano resolved to take a stand.
Their demands included the immediate dismissal of the Commissioner and an increase in staffing and security at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital.
“The doctor was on duty, single-handedly managing multiple pediatric cases under challenging conditions. This incident highlights broader challenges in our hospitals, including understaffing, lack of resources, and inadequate security for medical personnel”, he said.
However, on Wednesday, NMA withdrew all their services at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, an action that prompted Governor Yusuf to apologize, calling for dialogue.
