COVID-19: NEWLY EMPLOYED DOCTORS IN A'IBOM HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR THREE MONTHS WITHOUT PAY
My attention has been drawn to the plight of newly recruited medical officers in Akwa Ibom who have been working tirelessly for the past three months without receiving their due salaries.
My attention has been drawn to the plight of newly recruited medical officers in Akwa Ibom who have been working tirelessly for the past three months without receiving their due salaries.
I have personally confirmed this to be true.
These doctors (about 160), were employed last September by the state government.
They all resumed work on 31st December, 2019 and have not been paid salaries since their resumption.
I have personally confirmed this to be true.
These doctors (about 160), were employed last September by the state government.
They all resumed work on 31st December, 2019 and have not been paid salaries since their resumption.
I have personally confirmed this to be true.
As at today, these young doctors have not been captured for March salary. Some of them were posted to interior villages where they have to spend close to N2000 daily for transportation. Yet, the Akwa Ibom State Government has not made provisions for their welfare and salaries.
The plight of these doctors have been made worse with the outbreak of coronavirus - with five cases now officially confirmed in Akwa Ibom State. These doctors have been tasked to be prepared for this global health crisis.
The government wants them to work, combat coronavirus and endanger their lives with empty stomach. These doctors have families to look after, yet, they are subjected to this untold hardship by one of the richest States in Nigeria.
The house officers employed by the state government last August for compulsory house-manship were only paid last Monday following outcry on social media. But the about 160 new medical officers were left out to continue to suffer untold hardship.
I am calling on Governor Udom Emmanuel, the Commissioner for Health, the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to urgently look into the plight of these doctors.
The need to pay these doctors their arrears of salary has become more necessary in view of the coronavirus pandemic; with the attendant pressure on medical practitioners.
This is not the time for politics and sycophantic reactions. This is the the for responsible leadership.
This is not the time for politics and sycophantic reactions. This is the the for responsible leadership.
I hope the state government will listen to the voice of reason and act accordingly without delay.
Inibehe Effiong
2nd April, 2020.
Inibehe Effiong
2nd April, 2020.
