It was 7: 45am; I dropped my daughter off at school and drove to my office. By 8: 05 I was at my desk, ready to work. By 10: 43am I was called in for a meeting, two minutes after I settled down for the meeting, I received a call from my daughter’s school; she had just been rushed to the hospital.

Shock, fear and sweat gripped me all at once as I drove to the hospital; Doofan my only daughter, I saw her school bus outside, two teachers, the headmistress and the proprietress. Then I saw my only daughter lying down on a bench bleeding from the mouth. I was told she fell from the stairs in her school. As I held her hand, she cried, “Daddy, hold me I don’t want to die, where is Mummy… I don’t want to die.” Then I looked round and shouted at the nurse, where is the doctor on duty? She looked at me and kept drinking her tea. Where is the Doctor on duty I shouted again! And she pointed at the corridor, there I saw the Doctor holding the hands of a nurse chatting!

I walked up to the man whom the nurse had pointed at and begged almost in tears, my daughter needs your attention I pleaded. And he said “we are on strike”. I rushed back to stay with my daughter as I heard my wife’s voice wailing, the school had called her too. She ran past me and walked up to the doctor begging in tears, help my daughter she said. And again, the Doctor said, “all Doctors are on strike”.
I waited impatiently for the doctor to finish chatting and before I knew what was happening, I saw the doctor holding hands with the nurse, walking away.

I shook my head and tears rolled down my eyes, I walked back to my wife to console her.
As I wondered which hospital to take my daughter, a man in blue uniform walked up to me and said, “Oga, maybe you should go to Dr. Dike’s hospital, it is down the road.

He gave me the description and I drove my family to the hospital, my daughter was still bleeding. As I got to the hospital, I was asked by a polite nurse to hold on for the doctor, that he was on his way to the hospital. She gave us a private room and started what seemed like first aid treatment.

Within 15 minutes, the doctor arrived. He walked up to my wife and I and apologized for his lateness. I was speechless as I watched him attend to my daughter. He was nice, polite, and ready to give her the best care. He was the same man I had seen earlier who was too busy chatting with a nurse to attend to me. He is Dr. Dike!

I watched him give my daughter the best medical attention. The polite nurse beckoned on me and she gave me the bill. Alas! The figure on it was eight times higher than what I would have paid at the government hospital. I left and drove back to my office…
As drove I bought a copy of Thisday newspaper on Monday, June 22, 2009 I flipped through the pages when I got back to my office, searching for my favourite page, business page. Just before I got to the page, an interesting caption caught my attention on page nine “FG Pleads for Understanding over NMA’s Demand”.

My Point:
Are these doctors going on strike so Nigerians can patronise their expensive private clinics? Are they messing up the image of the hospitals by going on strike so they can get patronage at their private hospitals? These are questions begging for answers. If what I read in Thisday is true and the Minister of Health, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin is putting all things in place for them and they still can’t put up their acts together and get the best out of their jobs, then it is just unfortunate, very unfortunate.

The last paragraph of the Thisday report states that “The agitation for improved wages and benefits has been on for over 11 years”. So, does it mean if Osotimehin gives them all they are asking for they will give their best to their work or find another reason to go on strike?

It is a pity that the whole situation is like this, but before you start blaming the doctors, why not government who refuse to do what should be done, like a good/ understanding remuneration for the medical personnel? A doctor is first Human before he is a doctor and he has to take care of his needs as an office worker will do eg bankers, oil workers, lawyers, politicians, so why should he not be compensated accordingly, they all go to the same market you have to remember? In the developed/developing and some underdeveloped countries, a doctor is considerably compensated (see i SAID CONSIDERABLY COMPENSATED AND NOT WELL PAID) a Nigerian doctor is asking the same just a little bit of push to the salary and a lot of improvement on infrastructures and equipments to work with, the guy is not asking too much. But the Nigerian society feels a doctor's role is humanitarians and like teachers, his reward is in heaven. But you have to remember, you are putting your life in the hands of an hungery and angry fellow and when 2 elephant fights, the grasses bare the effect (your daughter). It is not the doctors that hates you/Nigerian populace or want more money in his pocket but you should blame the politicians who give no hoot if the populace is healthy and travel overseas for medical treatment even if it is a simple stress induced headache. The politicians and his children and wives do not use Nigerian healthcare provider, so why not face them and tell them how their contemporaries abroad compensate people in the healthcare instead of putting all the blames on the innocent doctor who just want to feed his family and provide for their needs.

I am not a medical person but I will try to answer this question.
This question seems very sincere, but the questioner is hiding the grimace , rather a mockery of medical science.

question implies that when doctors are on strike, means not practicing less people die than when doctors are practicing. Does the quesioner know how difficult it is to treat a single patient? does questioner know how much pain it takes for a doctor to come to a conclusion for a treatment?

No doctor kills a patient intentionally, except those who are criminally minded.

Secondly the science of medicine is such that constant research is taking place and in view of new viruses, germs and challenging health conditons new medicines are coming up in market, after extensive research. it is likely that few would suffer the reactions and a few will die.

Has quesioner thought how many are dying out of mindless war thrust upon poor nations, weak neations like Vietnam, Afghanistan and many more.

Has it occurred to questioner how many drug abused murders and suicides are happening and who is responsible for all these?

Has it flashed to questioner how many Fanatics of religions are created by the so called relion leaders and army of saviours and jihadis are on the prawl to kill the innocent persons and ,

How may innocents are dying due to political divisive ideologies generated to suit the vested interests.


those who survise the effects of drugs, bombings suicides are treated and saved by praciticing doctors only and not doctors on strike.

Striking doctors are only pressing for their grievances.

So it need to review why doctors strike and not how many die during strike.
2 months ago
please let's not pray for strike!!!

Many Nigerians dont seem to know the basics of organization, I'm sorry to say. The only type of negotiation they consider, are anti-govt protests and strikes.

Meanwhile, when they go to western countries where things are orderly and run like clockwork, they feel more at ease and are grateful for being able to accomplish what they couldnt do at home. However, they refuse to look at the difference between their attitudes and the western work ethic. Instead, they take solace in heaping all the blame on govt because its always easier to have a scapegoat.

While its true some Nigerian leaders major in the minors like loose living, personal enrichment at the expense of their constituents, they're mainly the reflection of the general Naija ethic. Which worships money regardless of the source, and beleive the Nigerian dream is having as many women as possible at your beck and call.

Closeminded ethnocentrism nko? Another topic on its own.

XYZHelp

Where did you get your information from?
Why all those accusation on the Minister.
Are there facts or mere allegations?
Let us be fair nd not digress from the main isue.
This man is working, these doctors are greedy.
At least we can all see how he managed the Swine Flu issue in Nigeria.
Which government has done that before?
He put everything in place.

See malaria and ow polio is reducing,

I will plead that we should not treat the issue at hand with a bias mind. If we have any scores to settle with the minister let us do that in another way. Let us call a spade a spade. What the medical doctors are doing is not a good practice of the medical profession. They should remember their oath of allegiance during their induction into their medical practice.
They have all the course to be thankful to the present Minister of health,because they never had it so good like this for the past 12-14 years. The present minister has already had a round table meeting with them to led to the signing of a new salary and allowances.
Mr President even said the new salary will take effect as soon as National salaries, Incomes and wages Commission finish computing the total cost for the new salary.
They should remember that they are not the only one their salary is been worked on. It covers medical doctors, pharmacist, Anatomist, Physiologist and the rest. They really need to exercise restrain and support the minister in building a virile health sector.

just like the saying 'TEACHERS REWARD IS IN HEAVEN', so should be doctors'. I mean there should be other ways of making their grievances known to the government not by embarking on strike! considering the humane nature of their profession;the one that touches on the core of human existence.they should consider the plight of patients who would be stranded during the strike.their strike will expose many Nigerians to avoidable deaths.so what are we now talking about:innocent souls that will be affected because of the strike.imagine the questioner's only daughter!perhaps they cant have more children,and you think that kind of person would want to know the "government do not remunerate doctors well and that is why they had to go on strike?i mean come to think of it.

Now on Osotimehin, we have to be fair to ourselves, this man just got there in less than six months and has addressed so many issues on ground! The issue on the salary scale has been on for the past 11years now, and you cant just expect that to be his priority when other crucial cases are on ground! but am not surprise though, this is Nigeria where we expect miracles to happen in a day! but come to think of it,professional medical bodies are really commending his effort on lots of laudable programmes he has been embarking on, and as such associates and identifies  with him especially on primary health care which takes health care to the people at the grassroots where they need it, when they need it and being attended to. They described him as the appropriate person who really  meets the need of the people. so if he were  to be a fraud, i dont think such accolade will be given to him.
Am sure they know he's somebody that can help materialise their demand, that's why they are pushing it forward again during his administration.and following all the steps taken so far by setting up an inter agency committee, who are presently compiling the list of all health proffessionals  that will be involve .Already the list is at advanced stage of being completed as all health establishments , agencies and parastatals are already submitting their lists.
And the minister has already gotten the president convinced on their demands, which no past minister in the sector had done!
I think we should all use this medium to plead to our doctors to please exercise more patience, as they will all have cause to smile soonest!!!

When there are many problems, you solve them one after the other, based on importance and priority. We shouldn’t blame the minister at all. The man is trying his best to ensure everything is put in place. For the past 9 years things were not like this. Osotimehin is trying his best at ensuring the eradication of malaria and polio in Nigeria.

The doctors should be blame first; God forbid what if the child dies, they should put themselves into the position of the man who brought his daughter to the Hospital.  Will they fold their hands till the child dies.The doctor should have a fear of God in what ever they are doing. At least if its first aid treatment, he should have attended to the child first.

I think Nigerian doctors are not helping matters. This man just got there in the last six months or thereabout, and he’s been addressing malaria, tackling infant and mother mortality, Polio eradication and especially ensuring all these efforts gets to the grassroot where it’s needed most. I mean this man is just starting and should be left alone to do his job. Nigerians are fond of sabotaging people’s efforts, anyway maybe they think he can help in fighting their cause to through to the presidency, which he has succeeded in getting the president’s consent on the matter as soon as the inter agency set up by the ministry is ready with their compilation, which has gotten to an advanced stage now.

My appeal to Nigerian doctors is to give him (minister) more time to address their demands because there are other pressing issues pending.

its so unfortunate that this honorable profession of saving lives at the inception of our carrier is being abused at the table of greed. yes i know we have suffered low numerations in the past for our services,but there have not been a good time as now when we have a listening minister who also is a seasoned colleague not  a political puppet,  is doing everything to ensure our agitations and demands are met. from my understanding he has convinced the president and is working out modalities to meet our long struggle for better salary structure and other issues raised during our dialogue.
am not surprise at the way some of my colleagues in this medical profession, think that miracle would happen over night.it will be in our best interest to support this struggle together by giving the government an enabling environment to meet our demands.
for those who think strike and negative actions is the best way to push issues bothering us,they should behave like professional which we are and use respectable mediums to drive our message home. moreover i am not fooled by this issue of strike from some doctors, as they want to use it to attract people to their private clinics and hospitals. lets service and not get  rich schemes be our focus. we cannot afford to loose lives we were called to protect in the guise  of agitation.

Hello MacM, I read your comment on the above subject very funny. Your tone seem like someone who has an axe to grind with the Minister of Health. I agree that the doctors deserves a better pay. I also want you to know that all Nigeria's problem including that of the health sector would not be solved in one day. It need patience and understanding from all Nigerians. They way you cast aspersions on the persons of the Minister is not fair. It is borne out of sentiments and hatred. All the allegations you raised cannot substantiated. And you forget that all these money you mention didn't come directly to the NACA. They were grant and the granting agency or body is the one that disburses such funds. He performed well to the extent that he won an award. I want you to know that he has the pedigree to be a health minister that is why he was appointed and he has so far performed beyond average. Mr MacM, lets face the main issue and avoid character assassination which will not help us. The problem in the health sector today was not the creation of the minister. He has at different fora stated the preparedness of the government to address the decay in the health sector including wages and allowance for the personnel. The government is a process and so, the NMA should exercise patients after all, the expiration of the deadline for implementation of the agreement reached is still July 15th, 2009. The minister is a man of integrity, charisma and noble character who if given the chance would make his mark in the health sector.

@femy001, obi.obieze, ibrotaj, fyusuf, eniolape, palmers

If you have been following other threads on this forum, I think by now you should have known that most members of this nairaland are not 100% gullible. Stop creating threads and unnecessary usernames to praise. Its too pathetic.

yes its  public knowledge that the health sector used to be in shambles and little or no concern was given to it, but come to think of it in the last six months i have experience a growing concern and commitment by government under the present health minister especially as he has tackled various epidemics and challenges that raised its ugly head against us.his massive actions and intervention against malaria,Lassa fever, even swine flu which he has won the war of invasion.These battle for life no doubt  has been won by doctors and medical practitioners,who work round the clock to ensure patients get through various health issues. it is rather disheartening that these doctors who stood in the forefront for us are being distracted by financial pursuits. its true that some of them make more money after work through their private clinics and hospitals, but lets not forget that the present health challenges world wide is growing beyond Panadol. doctors need to be  thinking more on how to prevent and tackle these health crisis than striking in the middle of government intervention. its evident that Nigerians are not oblivious of their importance and therefore should not be reminded by strike treats. its uncalled for to paint blue and black the man that is fighting their cause.
let them please lay aside sentiments and collaborate with the health minister.we wish them the best.

As a growing child i observed that my mum developed a habit of keeping friends who are doctors though she was a teacher,could not help but question her but found for myself that they happen to be one of the most kind hearted and patriotic Nigerians, and as a fast learner i also took after my mum. well my relationship with them has indeed opened my eye to the realities of their job the struggle to save lives and care they show to their patients. No wonder ever family wants to have a doctor.but most touching of my observation is that their true satisfaction does not come from fat pays and allowance, but from the very fact that they save a life and put smiles on their love ones faces. but most unfortunate is the attitude of some doctors abandoning their work for private businesses. i thought this sentiment was shared only by me until recently i read about the health minister's complaint about neglect of duty by doctors.well government is working on improving the salary structure of Doctors and medical processionals to encourage them. its obvious that those talking about government insensitivity especially in recent times are not appreciative of current efforts.

Its interesting to see all the new usernames on the same bandwagon.
C'mon, nairalanders are not gullible,

To answer the questions raised by the poster
i Dont think its greed, i think its reality that makes a doctor want to survive, i know a nigerian based doctor who had to call for help in paying the children's school fees because they were sent out of class, the school authorities gave them no excuse that their father was doing 'humanitarian' job, they sent them out all the same,point is, the doctor is a human being that desires the best for himself, his family and then, his patients.
Its easy for the minister to talk about doctors being uncommited, afterall he wont have their mundane problems anymore in his new estate, and i can imagine he most likely wont be treated in a govt hospital when he falls ill.

Govts world over are paying doctors better, only in nigeria do they have to beg, plead and later threaten a strike before someone listens and then people start to play the 'humanitarian' card.If the country has a listening govt, it never has to get to strikes before things get resolved, why not motivate the doctors then later turn the screws on them to make them work harder
the statement goes, to whom much is given, much is expected, lets start with the giving part!

obi.obieze:


Let us be fair nd not digress from the main isue.
This man is working, these doctors are greedy.
At least we can all see how he managed the Swine Flu issue in Nigeria.
WHICH GOVERNMENT HAS DONE THAT BEFORE?
He put everything in place.

Exactly, we had Swine flu during Prof Ransome Kuti's time abi?- eh Mr. 'my daughter fell from heaven'. Let him not handle the swine flu nau- maybe your daughter would be first to have it. Listen meen: Nigerian govt only understands strike. Specialist abroad can make up to 15mills/year in Naira while in Nigeria they struggle to make 5 and thats after working 25hrs a day. Yes 25hrs not 24. Ask the minister whether he recieves treatment here in Nigeria.
You didn't know the issues until your daughter fell. I advise you call your Dr and have him address those issues before you start criticising those Drs or we probably have to wait till you fall yourself.
And to all those newbie punks trying to support your ignorant stance- GET A LIFE.

.

LAgos state pays doctors (full post NYSC) 96,000 naira only. Abeg, why we no go go strike?

The so called increament which they said they implemented is going to increase our salary by 10,000 naira only!!! Maikng it 106,000. Can you imagine? That is not even up to the salary of a houseofficer in LUTH

trimandtrendy:

The so called increament which they said they implemented is going to increase our salary by 10,000 naira only!!! Maikng it 106,000. Can you imagine? That is not even up to the salary of a houseofficer in LUTH

Seeee, and one Govt Musketeer is coming here to post stupid thread. Its their likes that want to get to hospital at 11pm and see doctors on their feet ready to take their order.
Ss s s s s s s s t t tt t t t e e e e e e e e e e e w w w w w w w w w w .

U cnt blame docs, u cnt compare wat naija docs nd their foreign counterparts earn, u cnt compare their workin conditions. An average doc in america earns abt 10k dollars monthly, while a naija doc earns abt 700 dollars monthly. 4 christ sake, they deserve a whole lot more. Its a pity dt govt dnt listen until pple go on strike. But dnt blame docs.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Doctors Threaten Fresh Strike, Govt To Pay Health Workers Monday
By Chukwuma Muanya (Lagos) and Folasade Folarin, Abuja

MEDICAL services in the country may be grounded to a halt as medical doctors under the aegis of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) have given the Federal Government a Wednesday, July 15 deadline to meet their demands or they will join other health workers on their indefinite strike.

In another development, the Federal Government has agreed to pay by Monday, July 13 the monetisation benefits of all the striking health workers. The NMA had for some time been agitating for better pay and better conditions of service for doctors in the federal service. In the main, the request of the doctors is the adoption and implementation of a Medical Service Scale (MSS) for doctors in government employment.

The National Secretary of NMA, Dr. Kenneth Okoro, told The Guardian in a telephone interview: "We had given the government June 4 deadline to meet our demands but with pleas from the Minister, we extended it by 28 days, which would expire on July 15. If government does not meet our demands by July 15, the apex body of the NMA would meet to decide on the next step. I can tell you the threat of withdrawal of services is real."

However, Minister of Health, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin is pleading with the doctors not to go on strike because there will be unnecessary loss of lives. He said the situation could be avoided if the doctors could delay the call for immediate implementation of their pay package by another two months maximum.

Osotimehin told The Guardian: "We note that lives of innocent Nigerians once lost can never be regained. I call on all Nigerians to join in this plea to the NMA and all doctors not to embark on the threatened strike action. I advocate for the collective interest of all health professionals."

On his part, the Director General of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhi, told The Guardian yesterday that the resolution of the on-going strike by 'junior workers' of the agency is beyond his office.

Staff of the agency had on Tuesday, July 7, joined the National Health Workers Union to down tools to protest non-implementation of the approved monetization by the Federal Government.

The NAFDAC office at Oshodi, Lagos State has been shut to the public. Visitors and clients who wanted to do business with the agency were not allowed access.

Orhi said: "The junior workers have joined the health workers' strike. It does not have anything to do with NAFDAC. We are working here. I am in my office and the headquarters here is open to the public."

Osotimehin added: " There is no disagreement nor dispute between government and the doctors. Indeed, there is already a signed agreement, wherein the government has acceded to their demands.

"There is a due process that must be followed within the government system for the agreement to be implemented in order to make for appropriate planning. That due process is currently being followed."

Osotimehin disclosed the payment yesterday in Abuja, while appealing to the striking unions to return to work to save the lives of many ailing Nigerians.

While speaking to journalists, Osotimehin said that it was necessary for them to return to work because the health sector was the most sensitive of all the sectors and any action could lead to the loss of lives.

According to Osotimehin, about N40 billion has been appropriated for the exercise. He also stated that the Ministry of Health alone could not implement the issue of Consolidated Salary Structure (CONTISS), saying that they were waiting for a nationwide implementation of the CONTISS.

Great Government!

Thank you jare.
At least by Monday, all these wahala would stop!

Vanguard
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Funmi Komolafe, Sola Ogundipe, Victor Ahiuma- Young & Dayo Adesulu

Health workers suspend strike

Patients may return to the hospitals this morning as the unions have suspended their one week old strike.

Post offices, radio stations and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), are also to resume work today as the striking unions yesterday evening called off the strike following a confirmation that the Federal Government has commenced the payment of 50 per cent of the arrears owed its employees.

However, the remaining 50 per cent would be included in the 2010 budget.

The suspension of the strike followed a meeting of the unions with the Senate Committee on Information with the Minister of Labour, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, in attendance.

The General Secretary of the Medical and Health Workers Union, Mr. Marcus Omokhuale, said the union decided to call off the strike after it confirmed that accounts of its members were being credited.

He said: “We met with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Senator Ayogu Eze and the Minister of Labour, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode.

“Having confirmed that the payment has commenced, we decided to suspend the strike.”

Meanwhile, the SGF, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, is to inaugurate the tripartite committee to negotiate a new national minimum wage which is to be chaired by a former Chief Justice, Justice Alfa Belgore, in Abuja today.

Labour and Private Employers are represented in the committee.

As at yesterday, the post offices nation wide were still under lock and key as employees remained on strike . The News Agency of Nigeria was also out of service.
The Lagos chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria , Lagos state branch, Pharm. Lanre Familusi called on government to establish a general salary scale for all workers in the public sector.

Also the president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities ( ASUU), Prof. Awuzie Ukachukwu said the strike would continue because pay rise is not the only issue which his union and the Senior Staff Association of University ( SSANU) are demanding.

He said Government cannot jettison the agreement reached with ASUU “ we cannot succumb to this trivial order. They should have invited us to a round table where we can reach a compromise rather than deciding what to do themselves”.

Also, Professor Funmi Adewumi , dean of the College of Business and Social Sciences, Crawford University faulted government’s pronouncement on the strike by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities ( ASUU).

HE said, during negotiation when there is a disagreement on any issue, the proper thing to do is “ to refer such back to the negotiating team and not take a unilateral decision. This is precisely where the federal government got it wrong. It is a fundamental breach of principle and procedure. Wittingly or unwittingly, the federal government has failed to use the collective bargaining process to resolve disagreements arising from the employment”.

A Lagos based lawyer, Mr. Tunji Adeseye called on the federal government to convene an education summit to take a comprehensive look at the education sector.

He however commended the education minister, Dr. Sam Egwu for his willingness to dialogue with ASUU.
Barrister Adeseye said, “ the outcome of such education summit which necessarily would have an industrial relations content, will surely succeed in nipping in the bud, any deleterious strike action

that would become elongated as to be regarded as an indefinite strike”.

Striking ASUU members got support from the Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association which called for support for the strike as a way of saving our educational system from total collapse.

Pharm. Lanre Famulusi said, “ it is most unfortunate that government has continually denied workers their legitimate entitlements for over two years now, when these workers are familiar with tales of how politicians in government receive jumbo pay as and when due”.

He said the threat of a looming strike by doctors under the aegis of Nigeria Medical Association ( NMA) and the National Association of Resident Doctors ( NARD) to embark on strike if the Medical Salary Scale ( MSS) is not implemented has grown louder in the last few months because doctors have suddenly found new-day collaborators who can facilitate their agitations in the leadership of the ministry of health.

The pharmacist faulted the demands of the doctors on the ground that the economically inclined problems affect all workers in Nigeria and not the health sector alone.

:
Ahh this is a relief to me i cant imagine what it would look like being seriously sick on one of the striking days with the Knowledge that doctors are on strike. thank God we have an understanding Minister. Nigerians can now patronise govt hospital with the assurance that they will give us better attention and treatment. I think this health minister is one of the best thing that has happened to the health sector.i could see the concern in his eye and passion as he begged doctors not to go on strike and assured them of payment on Monday. which indeed he did.Kudos to you sir.

Ok Strike everyday.men Nigeria is going gaga,but if Doctors strike too men that would be terrible.its a nice thing that Doctors are understanding people can not understand what wuld have been the faith of Nigerians.health is wealth so let our Doctors get the Best so we can be assured of being alive.

This is good news i wish the minister of Education can take a leaf from the Minister for health who worked tirelessly to ensure that all the issues raised during the Dialogue and Negociation with the Doctors and Health workers are meet. Let the Minister of Education learn from this and stop partying in crisis.

so much hullabaloo about Doctors and The minister of Health. I have never been in support of government as they make so much noise and do so little. but i cannot be blind to the work being done by the present Minister of health. especially in giving Doctors a voice in the struggle for better working conditions. He promised and has fulfilled it. well this is not my basis of admiration for him, but the fact that during his tenure a lot has been achieved in the health sector in providing better health care for the people. the truth still remains that without the Doctors this would not have been achieved. If doctors were left to strike, and their agitation not meet it would have been a big blow, on the Nation as scores of lives would have been lost. but whether the health sector is were it ought to be, or the Doctors are not paid as much as they suppose they ought to get, i think we are on a journey for better working conditions for our beloved doctors,as they in turn put their heart to treat patients.

I couldn't agree more!

The truth is that we play the ostrich while the forest is on fire,yeah,we behave like the fowl that started complaing to the pot about his death instead of the butcher.

If you like pay nigerian medical doctor billion,he/she is still a nigerian medical doctor and will never behave like his ghanaian counterpart.Imagine somebody is saying that they pay her 96000k per month that it is too little,nigerian medical doctors are very jealous and self centered.They wana grow but dont want other health professionals to grow.there strike is just for pay nothing more,and anywhere they head most of them show that they love money more than service.

they are gaining from early entry into politics,nothing more.

Eh ya!

Beefing doctors, arent we?

ndo o, kpele.

@ikennahill, shut up already about Nigerian doctors. If a female Dr shunned your advances or you lost your precious g/f to a doctor it don't mean you should start writing junk about them. Next time you are ill, go see your mechanic. I bet they are more contented than Drs.