The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, has directed medical directors in Federal Government hospitals to substitute striking resident doctors with doctors on internship, Youth Corps doctors as well as other medical consultants.
Adewole’s directive comes on the heels of the nationwide strike embarked upon on Monday by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
The resident doctors, who are post graduate doctors in government owned health institutions, began the strike with the view to compel the Federal Government to yield to their demands.
But the Health Minister, in reaction, directed consultants, Corps members and other doctors to be on ground to provide health services at the hospitals pending when government resolves issues with the resident doctors.
“Arrangements are also on to make use of Armed Forces, Police and Federal Road Safety Health Facilities.
“It is hoped that more progress would have been made in reaching a consensus in all the issues being discussed,” said Adewole.