The Kano State Government has approved the removal of three Chief Medical Officers with the suspension of some nurses and doctors for matters relating to negligence, lateness to work and absconding from duty posts.
The Executive Secretary of the Kano State Hospitals Management Board, Dr Mansur Nagoda, made the disclosure through a statement issued by the Board on Monday.
He named the affected hospitals as follows: Chief Medical Officers of Imam Wali General Hospital, Abubakar Imam Urology Centre and Nuhu Bamalli Maternity Hospital.
Nagoda also categorically mentioned the nurses and doctors to be suspended saying, all doctors and nurses that were on duty for the evening and night shifts on Sunday, 30 July 2023, should proceed on suspension.
Pharmanewsonline reports that the disciplinary statement did not indicate if the absconding from duty was connected to the ongoing nationwide strike of National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), which commenced six days ago.
NARD embarked on indefinite strike six days ago to press home its demands from government, as it claimed that the government has failed to meet their long-term demands.
NARD President, Dr Emeka Orji explained that the association is demanding the immediate payment of the 2023 medical residency training fund (MRTF) and the immediate release of the circular on one-for-one replacement.
NARD is also demanding payment of skipping arrears and upward review of consolidated medical salary structure (CONMESS) in line with full salary restoration to the 2014 value of CONMESS.
Other demands include payment of the arrears of consequential adjustment of minimum to the omitted doctors and reversal of the downgrading of the membership certificate by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN)
According to Nagoda, the disciplinary decision was taken as a matter of urgency due to the negligence of the affected staff in carrying out their duties by absconding from their duty posts and leaving patients in the hands of students.
He warned that the Board would not condone negligence, late-coming, absconding from duty posts from any medical worker, adding that anyone found wanting would face sanctions in accordance with the civil service rules and regulations.
Nagoda called on other hospitals to buckle up as all facilities would be monitored closely in order to revive the health sector of the state.
