The Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, Ajibade Alabi, has urged the Federal Government to devise a potent mechanism to end the ongoing strike by members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
Decrying frequent crises in the health sector, Alabi advocated improved budgetary allocation to the sector to avert incessant strikes.
He noted that this would allow for the provision of modern facilities in the hospitals and payment of health workers’ entitlements as at when due.
The monarch, who made the appeal in his palace in Ilawe-Ekiti during a stakeholders’ meeting to mobilise his community for COVID-19 vaccination, noted that the industrial action has been having adverse effects on members of the public and those in government.
Alabi, who is the immediate past chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, therefore, tasked the government to pave the way for amicable resolution of all issues leading to the crisis.
The monarch appealed to the Federal Government to end the court actions on the matter and resolve the crisis through a round table discussion in the overall interest of the common people of Nigeria.
Alawe noted that with available information on the spread of cholera, third wave of Covid-19 and other viral diseases in the country, the government and the doctors should resolve the matter expeditiously.
The monarch advised the Federal and all state governments to provide modern facilities in Nigerian hospitals and take a holistic overhaul of the health sector to make modern and affordable health services available to the people.
In addition, he said that adequate monetary packages should be put in place for medical personnel to forestall their migration to other countries.
