DSS Invades, Stops Saudi Arabia Doctors’ Recruitment Exercise

By James Orji

Organisers of the ongoing Saudi Arabia recruitment exercise for Nigerians doctors in Abuja have abandoned the project after operatives of the DSS invaded the venue.

Many doctors and senior consultants in the nation’s health sector have stormed the venue to take their chances of working in Saudi Arabia, with many Nigerians blaming the federal government for the massive exodus of doctors and other critical health workers from the country.

A recent survey indicate that over 6000 doctors have left the country to seek greener pastures in the US, Europe and Saudi Arabia.

The threat by the federal government to sack the striking  Nigeria Resident Doctors, NRD has worsened the situation with many doctors trying to seek employment outside the country.

The minister of Health, Dr Chris Ngige has even threatened to enforce the government no-work no-pay policy on the angry doctors who went on strike over many months of unpaid salary arrears and allowances.

The minister even dismissed the impacts of the Saudi doctors’ recruitment exercise on the country’s already battered health sector.

Ngige said the exercise would have no effects, on the exercise many said has the potential to further strip the country of needed manpower in the sector.

Eye witnesses said Operatives of the Department of State Services, on Thursday, dispersed medical doctors, who stormed the Sheraton Hotels, Abuja, to take part in the recruitment interview organised by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health.

It was gathered that the DSS operatives stormed the hotel on Thursday morning and dispersed the doctors and journalists, who gathered at the venue.

The Vice-President, Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, Adejo Arome, told The PUNCH that the organisers of the interview confirmed to him that the exercise had been suspended.

He said, “Well, some people got to the venue today (Thursday) and when they didn’t meet anyone, they called me and I confirmed from the recruiters and some other doctors that the recruitment has been suspended.

“The recruitment on Tuesday garnered coverage, because of the media publicity. It was everywhere that doctors were going to Saudi Arabia.

“The recruiters had to suspend it because the Federal Government said it felt embarrassed by the news.

The striking Resident doctors had, on Tuesday insisted that they will only return to work after all their allowances have been paid, and the withdrawal of a suit filed by the federal government at the National Industrial Court.