Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kano State Branch, has announced withdrawal of services from the Emergency Pediatric Unit of Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital with immediate effect.
This was just as State Governor Abba Yusuf called on the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to suspend its strike action, warning of the potential danger to over 20 million residents who rely on public healthcare services.
However, the NMA state chapter took this decision following the expiration of the 48-hour ultimatum issued to the state governor, Abba Kabiru Yusuf, to sack the state commissioner for humanitarian affairs, Amina Abdullahi, HOD, over the alleged assault on a female doctor at the hospital.
The Public Relations Officer, NMA Kano, Dr. Muhammad Aminu Musa, stated that the strike was a result of a lack of concrete action taken by the Kano State Government.
“An investigation conducted by the Ministry of Health has confirmed that the doctor was not at fault in the incident, verifying that she acted with full professionalism in her duties.
“Despite this, no action has been taken to address the misconduct of the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, who led this assault and harassed a healthcare worker performing her duties under extremely challenging conditions.
“The NMA Kano has therefore resolved to withdraw all medical services at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital indefinitely, effective from noon today, 6th November 2024.”
He therefore stated the action would not be reversed until the government dismisses the commissioner provides adequate staffing and resource allocation and enhances security measures.
“Immediate steps must be taken to meet the minimum benchmark requirement for healthcare personnel in the facility, ensuring that doctors are not forced to work under conditions that put their safety and patients health at risk.
“Provision and maintenance of adequate security for all units within the hospital to protect healthcare workers and patients.”
He therefore reiterated the NMA’s commitment to the highest standards of medical care and patient safety, adding that the action is intended to underscore the urgency of justice and reforms to protect healthcare professionals.
“We call on the government to act swiftly and decisively to restore confidence in Kansas State’s healthcare system and ensure a safe working environment for all medical personnel,” he concluded.
Abdullahi made the denial in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Monday after the NMA called for her dismissal over the Saturday midnight incident at the Emergency Paediatric Unit of Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital.
Reacting, however, the accused commissioner said, “Let them go on strike now! They are not the ones that appointed me. My office is the humanitarian office”.
The commissioner, who accused the health worker of negligence, narrated how she was ignored by the staff when she intervened in a situation where a patient could not get prompt treatment.
“I cannot even recognize her voice; I don’t know what she looks like because she did not respond to me.
“Somebody called me—her patient—she was knocking on the door of the nurse; the nurse locked the door and refused to attend to the patient. And the patient was fainting. I rushed from a wedding to the hospital.
“When I got there, I met her on the table, attending to patients… I greeted her, but she didn’t respond. I greeted her secondly, but she didn’t respond. Then the third time I said, Nurse, what is going on here?
“Then she looked at me up and down, folded her arms on her chest, and went to her office and banged the door of her office. I went to my car stranded, and I was provoked.” She narrated.
Denying any personal confrontation with the doctor, Abdullahi said she called the Commissioner for Health and Secretary to the State Government, who did not receive her calls until the matter escalated.
According to her, “I called the commissioner for health five times; he didn’t respond. I called the SSG, but he didn’t respond to my call.
“Later on, she called her husband and the CMO (Chief Medical Officer) of the hospital. They went directly to the door and knocked on the door. I don’t know what they discussed.”
The commissioner noted that the chief medical officer and chief security officer acknowledged the wrongdoings of the doctor and were instructed by the commissioner to submit a report recommending her punishment.
Meanwhile, the state governor Abba Yusuf has called on the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to suspend its strike action, warning of the potential danger to over 20 million residents who rely on public healthcare services.
The governor’s appeal comes in response to the NMA’s protest over an alleged assault on a female doctor by the state’s Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs at Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital.
However, in a joint live broadcast with radio journalists on Thursday, Governor Yusuf assured the NMA that an investigative panel’s report on the incident is now on his desk and will be acted upon promptly.
He acknowledged the importance of the doctors’ concerns but urged patience, emphasizing that the government is committed to 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,” Yusuf noted.
The NMA had issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding the dismissal of the commissioner, citing the alleged misconduct, with a threat to strike if the demand was unmet.
The governor expressed disappointment over the NMA’s decision, describing the matter as a “dispute between two adults” and requesting that the association allow a formal investigation to proceed.
Governor Yusuf assured that any official found culpable would face appropriate sanctions, reaffirming his administration’s dedication to accountability.
He also issued an apology on behalf of the government, appealing to the striking doctors to consider the vulnerable patients affected by the strike, including pregnant women awaiting delivery and others in critical need of medical care.
“The lives of 20 million residents could be put at risk over a disagreement between two individuals,” he warned, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing public health.
As the situation unfolds, Kano State residents await further action on the incident and hope for a swift resolution to the ongoing healthcare disruption.
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