“Please Consider Lives Of 20 Million Kano Residents”, Gov Yusuf Apologises To Striking Doctors

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has appealed to the Nigeria Medical Association NMA, to reconsider its decision to withdraw its members  from the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in the State.

The Source reports that the NMA, Kano Chapter, had, on Wednesday, November 6, ordered its members to withdraw their services from the Specialist medical facility.

The order was sequel to the  expiry of a 48-hour dateline  which the body issued on Monday, November 4, 2024, for the Governor to sack his Humanitarian Affairs Commissioner, Hajia Amina Abdullahi.

In statement jointly issued by Dr Abdulraham Ali and Dr Ibrahim D Muhammad ,Chairman and Secretary respectively, the umbrella body of doctors accused the Commissioner of assaulting one of its female members at the hospital.

The NMA said during the sad incident which occurred on Friday November 1, 2024, the Commissioner alongside her security and personal aides, physically assaulted the female doctor unprovoked.

The body noted that the  assault was provoked by the non-availability of prescribed drugs which it insisted was well outside the professional responsibility of the victim .

“This assault not only undermines the health sector’s integrity, but also violates the ethical obligations public office holders should uphold.

The Commissioner’s actions are a misuse of power by an official expected to uphold humanitarian values, NMA stated.

The Medical professionals, warned that they will withdraw their services from the hospital should the State Government fail to accede to their demands, particularly the one bordering on the dismissal of the Commissioner.

But the Governor, on Thursday, November 7, urged the striking doctors to place the interest and wellbeing of about 20 Million Kano residents above any other considerations.

Governor Yusuf who spoke during a live broadcast expressed disappointment that a mere disagreement between two female adults could be the source of anguish and punishment for the entire 20 million Kano  residents.

According to him, the Medical Body should have allowed the Investigative Panel set up to look into the matter to conclude its findings before taking action.

He emphasized the need for NMA to be circumspect in its decision-making process, owing to the sensitive nature of their job.

The Governor insisted the shutting down of  the hospital, abandoning and endangering the lives of innocent residents is not the most honourable thing to do in the circumstance.

However, for peace to reign, so as not to  punish innocent residents, Governor Yusuf, extended the sincere apologies of the State authorities to the aggrieved Medical Doctors.

While appealing to the striking doctors to call off their action, Governor Yusuf assured that appropriate disciplinary measures will be meted to any official found to be wanting in the matter.