… Suspends Doctors, Other Health Workers

Rivers State Government has ordered the indefinite suspension of the Doctor in charge of the Degema General Hospital, Dr. Augustus Eke and the Hospital Secretary, Mr. Obarikpa Owate for absenteeism and negligence of duty.

Health Commissioner, Dr. Sampson Tamunoiyoriari Parker ordered the suspension during an unscheduled visit to the Degema General Hospital where he discovered that the officers have been absent from duties for several days without any reasonable explanation.

In the same vein, Dr. Didi Chukwuemeka, of the same Primary Health Centre was also ordered to proceed on an indefinite suspension for the same offence as well as Mrs Gogo Abite and Miss Shealtel Walter.

Dr. Parker who expressed dismay at the unprofessional conduct of the officers said the state government had invested a lot of resources in the health sector and called on health workers to ensure that Rivers’ people enjoyed the benefits thereof.

The commissioner remarked that the actions of the officers negated government’s intention to reduce the disease burden of the state.

He announced that Degema General Hospital would soon be fully renovated and equipped to function as a Zonal Hospital so as to cater for referrals from Primary Health Centres in Asari Toru, Akuku Toru and Emohua Local Government Areas.

Meanwhile, the affected officers have been directed to hand over all government properties in their possession to the Director, Administration in the Hospitals Management Board and the Primary Healthcare Management Board, respectively.