FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE (FMC) ENGAGES CORPERS, MD ASKS FG TO MEET STRIKING DOCTORS

THE Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State, says it has been engaging the services of the members of the National Youth Service Corps doctors and nurses to fill the vacuum created by the National Association of Resident Doctors, whose members had been on strike.

The acting Medical Director of the Centre, Dr. Fidelis Ojeblenu, disclosed this during an interview with newsmen on the state of things in the hospital.

Ojeblenu, who lamented the challenges facing the management of the hospital due to the strike, said the corps members worked in very essential areas such as the intensive care and the emergency units.

But speaking in an interview with our correspondent, Ojeblenu called on the Federal Government to save the lives of Nigerians by engaging the NARD in discussion capable of putting an end to the ongoing industrial action.

He urged the Federal Government to consider the health of patients that were in critical conditions and as a matter of urgency ensure a roundtable discussion to end the strike on time.

The orthopedic surgeon maintained that his hospital had to employ the services of some doctors who he referred to as ‘reserve’ to take over some services of the resident doctors and also assist the consultant doctors pending the time the strike would end.

Ojeblenu said, “Usually, nobody wants to stay at home; it shouldn’t be difficult for both the doctors and the Federal Government to strike some agreement and I think they must keep talking to have an agreement. It is only when you keep talking that the solution will come and they can get an understanding.”