Yobe Govt ready for negotiation with doctors

The Yobe Government says it is ready for discussions with the state branch of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) to avoid an industrial action.

The state government reacted barely six hours after receiving the threat for the strike over salary cut.

Dr Bello Kawuwa, the state Commissioner for Health, made this known to newsmen in Damaturu on Wednesday.
Kawuwa said: “Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam on 14th May, 2018, approved 100 per cent payment of CONMESS and CONHESS salary structure to doctors and medical workers.

“The reduction noticed in salaries of some few doctors may not be unconnected with the initial hitches in the take-off of the implementation,” he explained.

The commissioner assured that government would address the complaints of the doctors and “give everyone what is due to him or her’’.

Bello however said: “I think it is a case of communication gap, the resident doctors did not do the needful to lay their complaints and exhaust all opportunities before issuing the ultimatum.”

He stated the commitment of government to carry everyone in the health sector for efficient healthcare delivery.
According to the commissioner, government has sponsored resident doctors at home and abroad on residency training with full benefits.

The resident doctors issued the warning claiming that their salary was reduced after government approved payment of the new structure for doctors and other health workers in the state.