30 MINUTES WITH A.B.U.T.H CHIEF RESIDENT- DR. S.H IDRIS.

[Nuruddeen]

30 MINUTES WITH A.B.U.T.H.  RESIDENT- DR. S.H IDRIS OVER THE CURRENT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT/ RESIDENT DOCTORS FACE-OFF.

By
Jibo Nura
E-mail: jibonura@yahoo.com

The strike action embarked upon by Resident Doctors has now entered its 3rd week but seemingly there are no signs of compromise between the feuding parties. As a result, Dr. Suleman Idris Hadejia, one of the Chief Residents of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria, who is also a specialist in Community Medicine, bares his mind in this interview with  Jibo Nura.

Excerpts.

JIBO: Sir, what is the genesis of this crisis between you and the government that made you to declare a nation wide strike?

DR. IDRIS: First, is the issue of short fall in the payment of salaries and allowances since June 2004 and second, is the unjustifiable deduction of seven percent  contributory pension scheme even though, the appointment of Resident is not a tenure appointment. And the third reason is the non payment of twenty two percent salary increment arrears for twelve months.

JIBO: Now based on your agreement inter alia, that is, the 2003 agreement with government, I learnt that you could only be paid part of that agreement leaving the other parts untouched. Was there any categorical statement or explanation by the Minister of Health or any government official as regards to the delay in its implementation?

DR. IDRIS: The President promised that the short fall will be stopped with effect from January and all other arrears will also be paid in January 2005. The Deputy Chairman House Committee on Health, Dr. Harry Oranezi also categorically made it clear that whether we go on strike or not the money can only be paid January 2005. There was no categorical statement from any government official regarding the payment of the twenty two percent salary increment arrears and the stoppage of deduction of the pension scheme. But it is important to note that other tertiary institutions in the country have stopped the deduction that is shortfall and all arrears have been paid. For example, Federal Ministries of Agric, Education and other research Institutions like NAERLS, IAR, and Institute of Leather research.

JIBO: There was this insinuation that the government is also planning to stop paying the House officer?s allowances or may reduce it drastically to Ten Thousand Naira per month. How injurious will this be to the medical profession?

DR. IDRIS: From available information had it that this issue is at the level of the law makers (House of Reps.) but it has not been passed into law. However, in the event that this happens, it will adversely affect quality of health care delivery in Nigeria. This may also lead to low enrollment into Medicine as a profession. In addition we may witness an unprecedented mass brain drain of Doctors abroad for greener pastures.

JIBO: If the government decides not to listen to your demands, especially now that the President is battling with Party politics and considering the fact that there were similar and several agreements with Industrial groups like ASUU, NASU. SSANU. NLC etc but the government always listens half way and in most cases it develops a thick skin. Would you in the interest humanity call it off in order to avoid more loss of lives in our hospitals?

DR. IDRIS: Well, if the government doesn?t meet up with our demands strike continues because this is one of the most insensitive government Nigeria ever had. Our own situation is peculiar because we deal with human lives.

JIBO: (cuts in) so in essence you are saying no pay no work?

DR. IDRIS: Yes! If the government cares about the over 120 million lives in Nigeria, they should as a matter of urgency expedite action and resolve the dispute.

JIBO: Sir, let us digress. As a medical Doctor what could you say about the political future of this country, I mean looking at its rowdy nature, are you optimistic?

DR.IDRIS: With the current trend of what is happening in Nigeria the future is bleak and this is mostly attributable to the political ineptitude and insensitivity of the leadership at all levels.

JIBO: Sir, finally what do you think is the remedy?

DR. IDRIS: Health is a vital component of any meaningful National development as such government should pay all the entitlements due to the Doctors and stop further unjustifiable deductions from our legitimate earnings. Thank you.


Jibo Nura reports from Nigeria.

[mlbash]

that was cool, mr jibo. we suppose to have one with you now adays! :lol:

[elgaazus]

Nura,

With Dr. Idris' Comment on the future of Nigeria i believe that, though he is not out rightly optimistic he is not lost all hopes. This should be seen as a good omen that all hopes are not lost to the future of our God given country.

Ma'assalam

Its a good work you are doing Jibo, Keep it up.

[EMTL]

Assalamu alaikum,
This is very beautiful Nura. I think you have won the KNline Journalist of the year. it is improtant we show concern about such issues like Doctors' strike. Allah (SWT) Ya kiyaye-amiyn.

[mlbash]

Assalamu alaikum,
This is very beautiful Nura. I think you have won the KNline Journalist of the year. it is improtant we show concern about such issues like Doctors' strike. Allah (SWT) Ya kiyaye-amiyn.

that was very right although...........................................

[Nuruddeen]

Assalamu alaikum,
This is very beautiful Nura. I think you have won the KNline Journalist of the year. it is improtant we show concern about such issues like Doctors' strike. Allah (SWT) Ya kiyaye-amiyn.

Thank you very much EMTL but I believe there are more journalists around in the house than my self. Any way, thanks once again for your offer.

[_Waziri_]

Nuruddeen,

This is interesting an effort. A practical aproach to solving the problems of your generation.