The Government of Edo State has, in strong terms, condemned the ongoing strike action embarked upon by members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Pally Iriase, the Government said “from reports collated so far, many innocent persons have died as a result of the strike/industrial action.

“Government notes that the reason advanced by the striking doctors is that they are protesting the insecurity engendered by the criminal activities of kidnappers, but government on the contrary also notes the inhumanity of the frequent recourse to strike action at the flimsiest of excuses by doctors whose duty it is to save lives.

“The excuse of the doctors for embarking on the latest strike action is untenable and unacceptable as the state of insecurity pervades the whole nation as it is not limited to Edo State only and the criminal actions of the kidnappers affect all strata of the society. “Despite the fact that matters of security are under the purview of the Federal Government, the Edo State Government has done all within its powers to assist the security agencies in the state with operational vehicles, communication gadgets and allowances to ensure the safety of lives and property of the people of the state.

“The Government especially notes the irresponsibility of doctors in the employ of the State Government, paid with tax-payers’ money, who find it convenient to shut down public health facilities under the guise of strike action. Clearly, this is a ruse for them to create time for their private practice in their clinics while also drawing their full pay at the end of the month.

“Government can no longer condone this inhuman, unethical and irresponsible action and has therefore decided that any doctor in the employ of the state Government who does not report for work by 8:00am on Monday, November 22, 2010 shall be dismissed summarily.”