Following the massive loss of lives being recorded from the current crisis that has led to the sack of 788 doctors in the employment of the Lagos State Government, the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN) has appealed to both the Lagos State Government and the sacked doctors to sheath their sword and negotiate for an amicable resolution to the dispute.
The National President of AGPMPN, Dr. Anthony Omolola, said processes are already on the way to bring both parties together towards fashioning a way out of the imbroglio, saying that the interest of the patients and the image of the medical profession were paramount in the minds of the association.
He made the call in Lagos, at a press briefing organised by AGPMPN to make its position on the current crisis known.
“We are ready to sacrifice to bring succor to patients. This is a moment of reflection, a moment where we need to have a re-think about the happenings in Lagos State. We in AGPMPN are not happy about the current strike and all the attendant problems in Lagos State.” said Dr. Omolola.
According to him, no matter how hard the situation may be, succour and solution must come. “We believe that strike should be last option to get something in a conflict resolution. We believe in the dialogue process in conflict resolution and a constructive dialogue will put this ugly situation to an end quickly,” he said.
Consequently, he appealed to all parties in the crisis, the Lagos State Government and the sacked doctors to see to how the problem on ground will be resolved.
On his part, the Chairman, AGPMPN, Lagos State Branch, Dr. Olayinka Oladosu also emphasised that strike should not be used as an instrument of bargaining in the present dispensation.
?He said, “In this wise, we want to appeal to the doctors on strike to sheath their sword. We want Nigerian citizens that need our services to be attended to as a matter of right irrespective of the prevailing circumstances.”
Similarly, Oladosu appealed to the Lagos State Government to re-evaluate? it’s present position in the interest of the good people of Lagos State.
Also commenting on how the current deadlock can be resolved, the First Vice Chairman, AGPMPN, Dr. Jimi Arigbabuwo said, “That there was deadlock yesterday does not mean that there will not be a resolution tomorrow when parties are ready to accommodate each other.? We?? are? therefore?? using? this?? medium? to? appeal?? to?? both? parties?? to?? resolve?? their?? conflicts?? quickly? in? the? interest?? of?? many? patients ,? who? sadly?? are? left?? to? die? untimely?? deaths”