CMD appeals to striking doctors

Umar Muhammed, Lafia

The Chief Medical Director at Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, Dr. Ahmed Ashuku, on Monday, urged the Nasarawa State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association to engage the state government in dialogue.

He added that dialogue was the best approach the striking doctors could employ to press home their demands.

Ashuku, who made the statement in an interview in his Lafia office, said the exodus of doctors from the hospital was not unusual.

He said: “DASH has over 100 doctors. This number is impressive. This is the only hospital that has such a number. We have on the ground 24 consultants. The previous years we had six consultants. We have received over 80 applications from doctors seeking employment here. DASH has the workforce that can render medical services to the people in the state.

“This is what I have been facing since I came in here. Because we are close to Abuja and some of them when they get jobs in Abuja, the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi and Jos, they go. For me, I cannot compel anybody to stay. We allow them go. Some of them prefer working at the federal level than the state level. Some of them needed an academic environment.

“But none has ever told me that he or she is leaving DASH because of poor salaries.”

On the allegation of exorbitant charges by the hospital, Ashuku dismissed the insinuation.

He said, “I am surprised that patients will say that. Our services sometimes are reduced by half. At times, we treat patients free. Most of our drugs are procured directly from companies. No middle men in the transaction. I assure you that some of our procedures are cheaper when compared to other medical centers in the country.

“People only create negative image against us. People are not appreciating the good things we do here. Some patients complain and we allow them go free irrespective of their tribe. There are those we transport to their villages. Accident victims are treated freely here without charges.”

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