Human rights group, Huma-nity Services Project (HSP), has condemned the proposed industrial strike by resident doctors billed to begin this week, saying it is in bad faith, unpatriotic and unfortunate.
Also, Prominent Lagosians, including monarchs, political and religious leaders Monday pleaded with the doctors to shelve the planned strike in the interest of stakeholders in the health sector.
The group led by Mr. Linus Okoroji, in a statement in Lagos Monday berated the doctors for a shortfall in sensitivity, wondering why medical practitioners were embarking on strike based on uncompleted agreement with the government. Okoroji, who also revisited the on-going debate on true federalism, claimed that it was illogical for state doctors to use the condition of service of doctors in the Federal Civil Service as the yardstick for agitations for welfare at the state level.
“The Governing Board of Humanity Services Project (HSP) condemns the contemplated warning and incessant strike actions by Lagos State Doctors.
HSP is alarmed about the news that the Lagos State doctors are spoiling to embark on a warning strike from Wednesday, April 11, 2012, just two days after the Easter break.
“HSP agrees that doctors, whose profession play a very vital role in saving human life, should be properly remunerated. But, it is unfair when doctors whose responsibilities revolve around saving of lives, to take undue advantage of their most essential responsibility to impede government and society.
“HSP will like to draw attention of the Lagos State doctors to the real fact that, those who will be adversely affected by any strike whatsoever are the poor Lagosians. Is it fair to punish the people who are already in agony?”the Okoroji asked.
Meanwhile, at the weekend, concerned traditional rulers and political leaders rejected the alleged plans to blackmail the government, saying: “There is panic and members of the public are worried that, despite the efforts and giant strides of Fashola administration in the state, doctors are planning to divert his attention from this week. That is why we are already contacting the doctors and government so that the strike will be averted.”
