Only 20% Services Going On At NAUTH, As Strike Takes Toll

THE Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anthony Igwegbe, has appealed to striking medical sector workers to call off the action “in the interest of the patients and humanity.”

Igwegbe, fielding questions from journalists who came to appraise the situation within the referral medical institution yesterday , appealled to the workers to consider the patients’ plight and resume work. He also expressed hope on the anticipated relocation of the medical facility to its permanent site within the next 36 months or less, beginning with less challenging Medical and General Outpatients departments, while the Theatre and Life Support departments that require special handling would move last.

“Though our doctors are working, we now operate at about only 20 per cent of our capacity. We take deliveries, some emergencies and skeletal services.

“The effect, in terms of our services and income, are enormous. I, therefore, urge the Federal Government to come out firm and fair in the ongoing negotiation with what is or isn’t acceptable to it to discourage a repeat of this painful situation.” He recalled that under the immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan, a committee was set up by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, made up of group of experts and professionals from the sector, who worked tirelessly to find lasting solution to the knotty issues and at the end, submitted a report. He regretted that no white paper had been issued on the panel’s submissions and findings since then.