DOCTORS HAVE NO LEGAL POWER TO GO ON STRIKE – AKINTAYO
Nyerhovwo Oghenetejiri
Medical doctors have no legal backing or power to embark on strikes to press home their demands just as all strikes embarked upon by medical doctors in the country including the current one has been described as illegal.
Dr. Joseph Otumara, Delta State Health Commissioner.
This was disclosed by Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, National President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) during an interview with the Urhobo Voice during the 2014 Nigerian Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists (NAHAP) WEEK in Asaba, he said that doctors lacked such powers because they are not a trade union.
While calling for unity among all professionals in the health sector to achieve optimum result, Pharm. Akintayo appealed to doctors to review their strategy in going about their demands, noting that “this is not the best of time for anybody to go on strike”.
Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, governor of Delta State who was represented by Dr. Joseph Otumara, Commissioner for Health did not agree less with the PSN National President on the need for Doctors to call off the strike in the interest of the dying and suffering masses.
Dr. Uduaghan who lauded the contributions of pharmacists in the State for all the achievements recorded in the health sector said it was as a result of this cooperation that the state recorded the least figure in maternal mortality across the country in the past seven years, he called for more collaborative efforts between NAHAP and the State government for the overall development of the State.
In his remarks, Pharm. Yakubu Maji-Isah, National Chairman of NAHAP described the Delta State branch of NAHAP as a pillar of support to the national and called on the executive and members not to relent in their efforts at moving the association to greater heights.
Earlier in his welcome address, Dr. Kingsley Amibor, Delta State Chairman of NAHAP said that the NAHAP Week came at an auspicious time when the country’s health care sector is in shambles as a result of incessant strike actions.
On the awards bestowed on some eminent Nigerians, Dr. Amibor has this to say, ”we believe in recognizing and rewarding efforts and contributions as a means of challenging people to greater heights.
That is why we at NAHAP, Delta State instituted our maiden awards to appreciate Nigerians, Pharmacists and non Pharmacists who have dared to stand out in their chosen area of practice despite harsh operating environment.”
A lecture titled, “Emerging Roles of Pharmacists on Patient Care Settings” was delivered by Prof. C.A Oparah while Prof. Emma Osazuwa takes “The Role of Pharmacists in Immunization”. The general theme of the Seminar was “Emerging Roles of Pharmacists in Patient Care Settings.”
The event which was chaired by Dr. Dennis Amafor featured seminar, send forth, magazine launch and awards. Some of the recipients of the awards are: Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Governor of Delta State, Dr. Joseph Otumara, Pharm. Patrick Ferife, Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, Sir Paul Evuarherhe, Head of Service, Delta state and Pharm. Yakubu Maji-Isah.
