by Nurat Uthman
Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on Thursday, urged the Nigerian Medical Association to suspend its strike action, warning that it could endanger the lives of over 20 million Kano residents who depend on medical services.
The governor assured the NMA that the report from the investigative panel probing the alleged assault of a female doctor by the state’s Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs at Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital is on his desk, awaiting immediate action.
The NMA had issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the state government to dismiss the commissioner, threatening to go on strike if the demand was not met.
Addressing the issue during a joint live broadcast with select radio journalists, Yusuf expressed disappointment over the NMA’s decision to strike over what he described as a “dispute between two adults,” urging the association to allow due process to take its course.
“I am aware of many instances where planned industrial actions by the NMA were shelved due to the mutual respect and good relationship between the doctors and the Kano State government. The NMA knows that this government values the welfare of doctors,” the governor stated.
Yusuf explained that upon hearing of the incident, he promptly set up a committee to investigate and directed it to submit a report within 48 hours.
“As I speak, the report is already on my table, and I will act on it immediately.
But if they now feel no one can talk to them, and their only next action is a strike, they should consider the lives of 20 million residents who could be put at risk over a disagreement between two individuals,” he said.
Apologising on behalf of the government, the governor appealed to the striking doctors to consider the impact on vulnerable patients, including pregnant women awaiting delivery, and to call off the strike in the interest of public health.
Yusuf also assured that any official found culpable in the incident would face appropriate sanctions, emphasising his administration’s commitment to accountability.
