The Lagos State Government has come out to say that there are no plans to sack striking resident doctors at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.

The Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pensions, Mrs Ajibola Ponnle recently revealed this via a statement, and Nigerians have been reacting.

According to him, the government is currently recruiting more health workers to fill areas of manpower shortages in the state hospitals, and it is clear that the health sector has received considerable attention from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s government.

He added that the shortage of manpower is one of the challenges the governor has been addressing from last year with the recruitment of 350 healthcare professionals into the service through the Health Service Commission and LASUTH.

His words, “The state government is not considering sacking the striking resident doctors. The health sector has received considerable attention from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration and the shortage of manpower was one of the challenges the governor has been addressing from last year with the recruitment of 350 healthcare professionals into the service through the Health Service Commission and LASUTH.”

“He has also approved another round of recruitment, which has started with the commencement of the employment of 400 healthcare professionals. These will include at least 150 doctors, which is the current deficit identified.”

“The National Council on Establishments, which is a body comprising the Head of Service of the Federation, all Heads of Service and the Permanent Secretaries of Establishments of the 36 states, at its 42nd national meeting resolved to remove the current status of internship programmes; in this case housemanship and NYSC doctors, as posts attracting grade levels in the scheme of service.”

“The circular was issued by the Head of Service of the Federation in April and by the Head of Service of Lagos State on July 12, 2021.”

“So, since both housemanship and NYSC placements are done prior to their entry into the public service, it was necessary to correct the anomaly of having them included in the first place, which is what the NCE resolved to do.”