The Permanent Secretary, Government House and Protocol, Asaba Mr. Tony
Obuh have decried the effects of the insistent strike actions embarked
upon by professional bodies especially medical doctors in the country on
the economy and lives of the citizenry.
Mr. Obuh who stated this yesterday (14-2-2014) in Asaba at the send-forth
ceremony for the 2013/2014 Batch A Corps members who served in the
directorate said that Nigerians grow concerned whenever there is a strike
threat especially by medical professionals explaining that they had a
responsibility to uphold the medical oath they took to protect lives
rather than their personal interest.
His words “Nigerians become worried anytime they hear that there is a
threat of strike because medical professionals who have taken oath to
protect lives abandon those lives for personal issues. We continue to pray
to God that one day a way will be found to persuade medical practitioners
to place lives of patients far above their own personal wishes and
desires”.
Mr. Obuh harped on the need for proper dialogue between government and
medical practitioners explaining that no responsible government would
shirk its responsibilities of providing conducive environment for its
workforce.
Continuing “If for any reason medical practitioners have need to complain
and it is properly articulated to the government, I believe that the
government will listen and attend to that need as much as possible and
within the limits of its resources”, he said.
The Permanent Secretary called on youths to be passionate about their
chosen career as that was the only way to achieve success and job
satisfaction.
He commended the youth corper Dr. (Mrs.) Henrietta Edebaetu for her
exceptional service to the directorate and advised her to allow every
decision she would undertake in her profession to be guided by the oath
she has taken as a medical practitioner to protect lives.
Responding briefly Dr. Mrs. Henrietta Edebaetu commended the staff of
Government House and Protocol for their warm and friendliness during her
service year.
Highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of gifts by the Permanent
Secretary.