The Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, has called for an end to the strike embarked upon by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in the state, News About Nigeria reports.
He made this call on Thursday while speaking to newsmen in the state.
Recall that the NMA had demanded a probe into the alleged assault of a female doctor by the state’s Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs at Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital.
The association had also given the governor a 48-hour ultimatum, threatening to embark on a strike if no action was taken.
However, it followed through on its threat after the 48-hour ultimatum expired.
In response, the governor assured the NMA that the report from the investigative panel probing the issue was on his desk, awaiting immediate action.
He urged them to suspend the strike, warning that it could endanger the lives of over 20 million Kano residents who depend on medical services.
Yusuf further 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.
He stated, “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.
“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.”
Apologizing 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, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to accountability.
