Embark On Strike, Loose Your Job, Resident Doctors Warned

Any resident doctor in Rivers State who abandons duty post for strike on Monday should consider himself or herself fired.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr Sampson Parker gave this warning yesterday at a public function  in Port Harcourt.
The commissioner, who expressed disappointment at his professional colleagues for showing less regard for human lives, which is the first concern of a professional health officer, stated that strike as instrument for  welfare agitation ought to be the last resort.
“You can’t allow the patients to continue to suffer”, he said, remarking that the present administration, which would terminate in about one year’s time, has shown so much interest in the health of the people, and also expects resident doctors to toe such line for the good of the people.
The health commissioner also disclosed that nurses in the state have indicated interest in embarking on strike on Monday as a way of  showing solidarity to their national colleagues, and urged them to shed such plans for the cordial relationship that has existed between nurses and the  state government.
“This morning, nurses informed me that they would join their  colleagues at the national level on strike as a show of  comradeship, he said.
Parker, who expressed gratitude to nurses in the state for their commitment to duty noted that Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s administration has a good working relationship with the nurses, hence they are not being owed. He advised them to consider the cordial relationship they have with the government and the interest of the people and retrace their step.

Chris Oluoh