by Mukhtar Alexander Dan’Iyan
Let’s take a quick look at how Buhari handled the Healthcare sector as Head of State:
Article from Concord Weekly, 1 April, 1985 titled ‘Doctors’ Crisis Over’
“With nearly all former striking doctors back at their various hospitals, the one month crisis that engulfed the Nigerian health delivery system appears now to be over.
One snag, however, is the hint that some of the detained doctors may be put on trial for subversion.
…The idea of a screening exercise for re-applying doctors clearly indicated that the Military Government’s anger for the doctros was yet to cool down.
Some officers of the NMA including the Vice-President of the association Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, are still being detained for what the minister described as ‘subversive activities.”
…(The Minister of Health) disclosed some doctors still being detained may be charged with subversion, because security agents found that some doctors seized the opportunity of the recent crisis to cause chaos in the country…
A member of a group… which advised the government to release unconditionally all detained doctors and their passports said if FG went ahead to try them, then the government is not “respecting the opinions of a sizable section of the public.”
The proscription of the NMA (Nigerian Medical Association) and NARD (National Association of Resident Doctors) has also sent jitters through the spines of other trade unions and associations who might find cause to confront the (Buhari led) FMG on other issues.
Perhaps the fate of the proscribed NMA may provide the answer for those who have been worried by the helplessness of the NLC in the face of retrenchment and this infringement on workers’ benefits by the Military Administration.
Should the NLC develop any new found courage on issues affecting Nigerian workers, then the proscription sword may be used once again, it is feared.
…But presently, how the doctors were trampled, battered and brought to unconditional surrender as a result of the coercive power of the Military Government is still fresh in the memories of trade unions or associations to nurse such a suicidal confrontation wiht the Government.”
Here is the article in full:
Mukhtar Alexander Dan’Iyan is a Public Policy and Security Expert and also the Editor-In-Chief of 15 Past 8 Media Group in Nigeria.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
