FG warns newly inducted doctors against strike action

By Timi Black
Chief Correspondent

The Federal Government has warned newly-inducted medical graduates against embarking on any industrial action, following the threat by resident doctors to stage a strike action on what they described as poor treatment and unpaid allowances by the federal government.

This disclosure was made by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngig in a statement signed by Charles Akpan, Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry, on Sunday in Abuja.

The minister tasked the doctors during the induction of six medical graduates of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) into the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

The labour minister Ngige whose son, Dr Andrew Ngige, is among the new inductees, charged the medical graduates to be of good behaviour and uphold the highest ethical standards while carrying out their duties.

He asserted that the medical profession is a noble one and hence, they should abstain from any conduct which is capable of bringing their esteemed profession to disrepute.

According to him:“I am a medical doctor. One of you being inducted here is my second son. My first son is also a medical doctor. My daughter is also a medical doctor. By virtue of ethics, our oath as doctors is to save lives. That is our primary duty.

“If doctors go on strike, people die. That is the truth. Human life is irreplaceable. How do you bring back people who have died as a result of doctors not being at their duty posts?

“It is unethical for doctors to embark on strike. I have said it so many times in the past and I will continue to say it. Doctors should not go on strike. Therefore, you should desist from going on strike in the interest of humanity and our noble profession,” he added.