Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf on Thursday urged the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to suspend its planned strike, cautioning that it could endanger the lives of over 20 million residents reliant on public health services.
During a joint live broadcast with select radio journalists, Yusuf confirmed he had received the report from the panel investigating the alleged assault of a female doctor by the state’s Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs at Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital. He assured that the report is “on his desk, awaiting immediate action.”
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The NMA had issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the dismissal of the commissioner, with a warning to strike if no action was taken.
Expressing disappointment over the NMA’s stance, Yusuf described the situation as a “dispute between two adults” and urged the association to allow due process.
“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 he responded quickly to the incident, setting up a committee to investigate and mandating it to report within 48 hours. “As I speak, the report is already on my table, and I will act on it immediately.”
However, the governor cautioned that a strike could pose severe risks to patients. “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.
Governor Yusuf issued an apology on behalf of the government, urging the doctors to weigh the impact on vulnerable patients, particularly pregnant women and other high-risk individuals, and to call off the strike for the sake of public health.
He further assured that any official found responsible in the investigation would face appropriate sanctions, reiterating his administration’s commitment to accountability.
