Insecurity: Kogi FMC Doctors Declare Strike Over Life Threats

Hours after armed men raided the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Lokoja, Kogi state, a statement signed by health workers in the institution, confirmed their withdrawal of service from the centre.

According to the communique which comes after a meeting by medical experts working with the health sector, their lives are no longer safe, due to poor management of the dreaded Coronavirus disease in the state and hence the need to go on strike.

Naija News reports that the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, in Lokoja was attacked on Wednesday, July 1 by some unknown gunmen.

Coming after the development, an association of the FMC health workers signed a statement, declaring a strike, with the notification that they are “totally withdrawing services across the board” pending when their grievances are met.

Names of the signatories to the communique include Nnana Agwu, chairman, Association of Resident Doctors (NARD); Samuel Obajemu, chairman, Joint Health Workers Union (JOHESU); Abdulmalik Idris, chairman, National Association of Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) and John Omoche, chairman, Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Naija News understands.

The health practitioners condemned the Wednesday attack, disclosing that the gunmen had carted away valuable items which include infrared thermometers, laptops, ATM cards, car keys and two motorcycles among others from the health centre.

The doctors vowed not to return to their duty post until measures are taking to ensure the safety of their lives and properties. Also, they outline certain conditions before resuming duty which includes: “validation of COVID-19 status of some staff of the hospital that have been in isolation, provision of COVID-19 testing facilities (PCR machines) and maximum of 20 patients being attended to daily.”