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from the President's desk

From the President’s desk...

Colleagues/Comrades,I must first commend your tenacity. I'm confident that with a few more effective blows,Colonel Omotoso will be forced to have a re-think concerning his strategy.While speaking with a consultant today, he stated that in all his days in active unionism he was yet to see a Management such as this which was so unconcerned about the duration of a strike but was rather hell bent on achieving an evil intent.This is why I urge you all to keep hope alive and to disregard acts of a Mgt that has bragged about how certain they are of breaking our ranks.Just this morning a circular was released by the Management of the hospital stating the PARDONING and withdrawal of letters of termination of appointment issued to 8 of our medical and dental interns who stood their ground in the face of pervasive threats,blackmail and intimidation.The circular claimed that this recent back-pedaling was on account of the intervention of medical elders recently put together by the Ondo state NMA.The HOs were also requested in the said circular to 'avail themselves of Management's MAGNANIMITY by strict adherence to DICTATES OF THEIR OFFER OF CONDITION OF APPOINTMENT'. A few hours later I got a call from a colleague congratulating me on the capitulation of Management in this regard.I was quick to give a different view-point.How can the reversal of an illegality be misconstrued for magnanimity?To accept a pardon is to accept liability for a wrongful act.What wrong have these colleagues committed?Joined a strike for which they had strong convictions?The MDCN medical code of ethics adequately addresses this.Membership of ARD? Only a trouble-stirrer would contest that. Interestingly the 'dictates of appointment' stated above is predicated on a clause illegally inserted in their appointment letters which states thus -'the management of this hospital does not permit any house officer to be a member of national association of resident doctors. Therefore where a house officer is found to participate in the activities of NARD, such act automatically invalidates this appointment'.Clearly several issues are worth mentioning here.Was this the first sighting of this illegal aspect of the appointment letters by the ARD Excos?The answer is no.However this is the norm in so many institutions that its significance is lost on most of us since it is hardly ever taken into cognisance except when the likes of Colonel Omotoso occasionally take shoot.Clearly there is a present need to safeguard posterity by insisting that this section in their appointment letters be expunged forthwith as this is an evident breach of their fundamental human rights and freedom of association as enshrined in chapter 4,of the 1999 constitution.I too was made to pen my signature to a similar document during my housejob in ABSUTH but ended up being the AGS and going on strike on 2 occasions.There can be no closure on proceedings in this fight without addressing this matter for sure,though I do believe NARD should go beyond giving this issue a mere cursory look as it affects our colleagues nation-wide.

Tomorrow will mark the 2nd week of the strike and Colonel still no won see oju mi.My sins must indeed be great. the much awaited NMA SEC meeting holds  tomorrow in NMA house Akure by 2pm.You are all warmly invited.We will however continue our campaign and urge all members to acknowledge this hardwork via their solidarity.Remain blessed.We will indeed prevail.

Judge for yourself

New Quotes From The Ongoing Fmc, Owo Face Off

New Quotes From The Ongoing Fmc, Owo Face Off

“The Tongue Does Not Have A Bone But It Is Strong Enough To Break Our Hearts”.

Dr Adedosu:         Do you want to keep your job or go on with the strike?

ARD Member:      ARD is on strike.

Dr Adedosu:       Tomode ba laso bi agba, kole ni akisa bi agba (if a child   has clothes like an adult, he can’t have rags like him)

ARD Member:     Agba should not parade his akisa for omode (an adult should not spread his rags for the child)

Dr Adedosu:        Anyway, there is a register at the office, better go and sign for your own good.

ARD Member:     Let them go and sign

                         Discussion between Dr Adedosu and an ARD member on the phone few hours after a register was placed at the HCS office for M.Os and Registrars to sign if they don’t want to be sacked.

Keep working, no one will harass you

Nma chairman talking to the HOs that were working yesterday.

Go and settle issues with ARD

Minister ordering the MD via a letter sent to him yesterday

I conducted a round on the medical ward, there was no doctor there, that’s the reason the doctors were sacked.

Director of administration (Mr Olagundoye) giving reasons the doctors were sacked.

Its either this strike consumes you or it consumes me

Medical Director(Dr Omotosho) said to have made the statement

The hospital is dying, we have to help the management not to allow it die

ARD

the management in 3yrs of administration

In 3yrs of this Management,

This centre had internet facility all over the hospital but has none again because the internet facility died.

This centre had oxygen running through pipes but barely has oxygen in the cylinders now

This centre had 3 departments accredited for residency training but now has 4 with the 4^th been the personal efforts of those present in the department

This centre had more than 70 house officers but currently has 42 house officers

This centre has some training departments with as few as 5 house officers to run 8 units including theatre sessions and call duties

This centre had as much as 25 medical officers in a unit but has 7 medical officers now

This centre had a visiting gastroenterologist but now has none without any replacement. Registrars and House officers run the unit.

This centre’s basic and essential supplies are now lacking to the extent of photocopying prescription sheets and doctors using nurses’ notes as clinical notes.

This centre has equipments that were bought which worked for 1 or 2 days and malfunctioned either due to faulty expertise of fake products

There are departments due to commence training but are deliberately being stopped because some people with primaries in those fields offended the management unlike in our sister institution where almost all departments are into training for the development of their doctors and the community at large

joint action committee position on ARD FMC Owo faceoff

JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH WORKERS UNION OF NIGERIA AND SENIOR STAFF ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITIES TEACHING HOSPITALS RESEARCH INSTITUTES AND ASSOCIATED INSTITUTIONS, FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, OWO.

13/11/12

RE: THE STRIKE ACTION OF THE ASSOCIATION OF RESIDENT DOCTORS, FMC OWO.

Our position

The joint action committee of medical and health workers union of Nigeria and senior staff association of universities teaching hospitals research institutes and associated institutions of federal medical centre owo has taken notice of the strike embarked by the association of resident doctors (ARD) of the hospital since the 8^th of November 2012.

We observed with dismay and utmost concern that the reasons adduced by the ARD as the motivation for embarking on the said strike are not cogent enough to warrant industrial action. They are purely administrative issues that are at the discretion of the management.

The major reason behind the ARD strike was attributed to the shortage in the number of resident doctors. In our estimation, the ARD is not fair to the hospital management and other health professionals by this complaint. This is because the resident doctors of FMC, owo  are more in population than most federal hospitals in Nigeria. Besides, the rate of recruitment to the fold of the doctors is much higher and faster than that of other professionals. Only recently, we are aware management recruits quite a number of doctors into their fold.

We unequivocally state here that health service delivery is a team work. The residents should know that virtually every other professional group wants an increase in their number. However, the decision to appoint or employ more staff lies solely and absolutely on the management. Even at then, this will be subject to the available fund at the disposal of such management. It is therefore wrong and unthinkable that an employee or group of employee would compel the employer to employ more staff even when the employer considers that there is no justification to employ. The strike action of the ARD that is meant to compel the hospital management to recruit more doctors is alien to the labour law as such it is illegal.

Contrary to the claim of the resident doctors association that the failure of the hospital management to employ more doctors to their fold has enormously impacted negatively on patient care and health delivery in general, it is our candid opinion that the baseless and unnecessary incessant strike actions of the association is responsible for whatever minus that the health care delivery has recorded in the centre. What is more, the habitual lackadaisical posture of some members of ARD that prefers to attend to their private businesses during working hours; toy with computers, blackberrys and other social network devices and gadgets in lieu of offering prompt and deserving attention to patients have greatly affected the seamless health care delivery policy of the hospital.

In view of the aforesaid, we hereby condemn and dissociate our members from the illegal, unholy, inhuman and infamous strike action of the resident doctors. We urge members of the ARD to bury their selfishness and self-centered  interests and instead, live up to the dictates of the Hippocratic oath that they sworn to. Parochial and political interests should not be elevated far above that of the clients and patients that the doctors are heavily paid to attend to.

We, therefore call on the ARD leadership to call off the strike action without delay as it is unpopular and uncalled for.

Signed:

Mr O.G Ijanusi                                                      Mr Femi Adebayo

Chairman, MHWUN, FMC Owo                           Secretary, MHWUN, FMC Owo

Mr O.J Olajide                                                      Mr J.A  Jegede

Chairman,SSAUTHRAI FMC,Owo                      Secretary, SSAUTHRAI FMC,Owo

The above letter was termed insulting and disregarded by the NMA on the basis that they are a group of people not wasting time on.

ARD stance on this letter is that since the letter was not circulated round the hospital for their members to see, we will help them spread it and after this strike action, we will take a definite decision on the associations involved.

comments on NMA blog on ARD FMC OWO faceoff

from wale lasisi

Dr. Adesokan, Dr. Adesokan, Dr. Adesokan! Egbon, Egbon, Egbon!

Hmmmmmn, Residents soro se oo( its risky offending residents o).

Dr. Dada said something to you on this blog sometime ago on this issue, remember?. Please send Dr. Oguntuashe's email add to the moderator to add, as well as Schilla(Dr. Ogundipe).

I still implore the boys, Egbon is one of us, he is surely on our side. Let's keep watching. As par the mdcan't, empty can, lwkmd, but bros na normal saline, have heard former ARD activists now mdcan members call themselves D̶̲̥̅̊α̲̅τ̲̅ too.

I understand I satisfy the constitutional provisions of being a mdcan member, but bros, I still see myself attending NARD meetings cuz na dia action dey. Maybe, someday, my generation will stop the joke or slogan of calling MDCAN those names. Keep being on the side of the boys egbon, you are doing well. L̃̾Õ☺Õ̾Ô=D:D=));)ÕÔ☺ÔÕ̾L̃̾. =)) I Laffº°˚˚°º=D ≈my boxersº°˚ ˚=))=))   °º≈Turnº°˚ ˚ºTo°˚ ˚°º≈=DG~string=D =))º°˚˚˚°ºнaĦaнaº°˚˚˚°º‎​=))

Monsieur wale Lasisi,

Commenting live from Indianapolis,

USA.

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

DR, BETIKU,

Somehow i missed your piece but a colleague forwarded it to me this night and i also got calls from some colleagues who thought you were a bit harsh on my personality. Well, let me just give an account here.

In my almost two years of working in FMC, the ARD has either gone on full blown strike or warning strike four times. To me i found that a bit odd. This was why on more than two occasions i have consistently preached that ARD should continue to opt for dialogue as an alternative to settle disputes. To me there is no end to dialogue. Even at times of war, cessation of hostilities may be requested for to allow for meaningful dialogue.

Arising from your June 27 OGM, four (4) issues were raised and the management given only ONE MONTH to resolve them! 

The issues were not new to the management especially nos 2-4, the theatre issue had been put forward at the HODs' meeting early this year and the management had promised to seriously look into it. There are three theatres in FMC-one for ophthalmology, one for trauma and orthopaedic cases and the main theatre. In other words it is not as if surgical cases were being grounded because of a problem in the theatre. It was NEVER ARD that first notified the management. The HOD surgery had written a memo to that effect and also discussed same at the regular HODs' meeting.

About four months ago the hospital purchased two anaesthetic machines worth 10 million naira . This was revealed MD sometimes ago when he called a meeting of all senior staffs (Doctors, Nurses and Scientists). The machines were bought after the HOD of anaesthesia lodged a complain early this year.

The reimbursements of funds for updates courses and exams have also commenced all within the spate of the past five months and ARD members attested to this.

Now if you raised four issues in June and by October same year, three of the issues have been substantially addressed, how do you then say the management is not listening to you? I would have expected you to state in your piece that the management has granted some requests. You made it look as if the management is never a listening one and that is not the true picture.

Now on the issue of shortfall of doctors, i agree there is a reduction as some members resigned to seek greener pastures. However, MASSIVE SHORTFALL as you put is not appropriate. If forty doctors have exited the system out of 200+ is that MASSIVE? I gave an analysis which i will still repeat. There are 4 registrars and 8 Senior registrars in O& G and the unit takes average of 120 deliveries per month which translates to 15 deliveries for each SR per month. This means one SR takes one delivery in two days! How on earth will you say that unit is overworked!

In your own department Family medicine, there at least 6 SRs and and at least 9 registrars with two regular consultants and a visiting consultant. The next question then is what is the total patient inflow to that unit? In all the above i am not contesting the fact that residents number have dwindled neither am i saying that the management is right by not employing but what do you expect us to do for a management that says only 2 million Naira is left every month after paying staff salaries? This was what the HCS told us in a meeting and he said the same was communicated to ARD Exco a day to the commencement of the strike.

I took the HCS up on this by asking what the management has done with the money meant for those doctors that have left the system and his response was that management has equally appointed other cadres of doctors needed for effective service provision and in some cases to fulfill accreditation criteria in some units. Hence in the last ten months, management has appointed a consultant urologist, one neurosurgeon, two consultant anaesthetists (the only anaesthetist in the centre left for greener pastures last year), one paediatric surgeon, a senior registrar in psychiatry. These information i sought out to obtain on my own so that i can assess the whole situation holistically. Even with this situation i still felt may be the management may still be able to absorb some more doctors specifically ARD members IF NOT for a comment passed by a member of the ARD Exco in one of their parleys with the management- Specifically in a meeting with the MD, an exco member of ARD told the MD point blank that he (MD) has no right to appoint consultants without allowing the consultants to go through due process. When the MD relayed this at the HODs' meeting everyone felt bad . I can't imagine myself telling Professor Ilesanmi (then CMD of UCH) not to appoint a consultant on any ground.  That infact shows that the ARD has little respect for their trainers. Of course the HODs chided the MD for not walking the Exco members out of his office there and then.

The bone of contention now is to replace doctors, Good. A process was initiated leading to offer of appointment for successful colleagues to resume by Nov 1. A day to resumption the management changed gear and put the resumption on hold. Some of us again demanded from the management why the halt moreso that some doctors had resigned from their former places of work hoping to resume by NOV 1 at FMC, Of course the implication on ARD  demands was not lost on us. A meeting of all HODs' was convened again and the management explained that there was a delay in getting needed funds earmarked for that appointment and that the management could still go ahead to split the resumption into two batches but it was considering the effect it may have on the morale of those doctors in the second batch.

At that meeting and with a warning strike threat hanging i rose up to advise the management to immediately convene a meeting with all residents in FMC to explain the rationale for this new development. Specifically i call it an interactive session. Few days later the MD and HCS addressed all residents. However, the residents said rather than an interactive session the parley was more of a briefing . Again, i felt a bit disturbed but on the other hand i felt someone at least should have asked a question after the briefing no matter the strictness attached to the briefing. Again being an ARD veteran, i challenged the HCS the following day on why the interactive session ended a monologue and he said the interactive session may be hampered by the absence of key management figures (the Directors of Admin and Director of Finance) hence the MD suggested that he (HCS) and the Director of Admin work out a time table for themselves to have the sessions with the residents and that once started the interactive sessions must be a continuous one to foster good understanding. Lest i forget at the briefing the decision of the management to employ ten doctors to resume immediately was conveyed to the residents. Of course this was a far cry from the initial list of about 50 but the management wanted to assuage the residents so that it would not be seen as been unresponsive. The management promised to effect other appointment subsequently with availability of funds.

Few days later the strike commenced. The ten doctors have since resumed.

ARD's good suggestion: ARD suggested to the management to convert some colleagues who are already in the system as medical officers to residents since they already have their primaries. Of recent a resident doctor confided in me that if the management had converted all of the affected medical officers (as opposed to more than half converted), ARD would not have bothered so much on new appointments. What is more, this saves the management money as these have already been in the system. Any right thinking man will agree with this suggestion but why was this not made possible?

1) Background mutual distrust and hostilities between management and ARD

2)The fact that the advertisement for appointment threw up some challenges like some powerful people from above insisting that their wards must get a placement for residency. (You know politics is in every fabric of Nigeria).

I believed too that the conversion if totally successful would have mended fences moreso that the NMA chairman had approached the MD on this a day to the interview and the MD promised to consider the request. I think the management converted 12 remaining 6 or 8. The NMA Chairman also said that despite this he had initiated another parley and even discussed with the MD on phone that he (the NMA Chair) will not let him rest until all the remaining colleagues are converted to residency options. 

To me i believe it was just a matter of time for the issue to be completely resolved but Alas the strike out paid to that thinking.

Perhaps the saddest moment of this imbroglio to me occurred few hours ago when a senior colleague called to say that "doctors in FMC were not making up to 40 units call every month then why are they on strike for more appointments" the colleague said call duty schedules of some departments were tendered at the latest parley with the management and it was revealed that so many colleagues actually took  far less than 40 units every month. To him, the strike was a bit shaky.

OTHER CONTENTIOUS AREAS: As it is now, there is no full residency culture in FMC and that is the truth. Some of us have suggested to management to consider erecting blocks of flats for residents within the hospital  to encourage colleagues to relocate to Owo permanently instead of travelling from Akure to Owo and back daily. Some of us grew up with the culture of being around the hospital premises, this in effect allows for better concentration and a good grasp of the programme. Of course the management countered by saying that residents receive rural allowance so erecting block of flats may not come in handy now.

I am appalled by your submisssion that the shortfall in residents have impacted negatively on residency training and quality of health care services rendered......i wonder what parameters were used to assess that. O and G residents continue to dazzle in their professional exams, surgery and Family medicine also recorded successes....so far this year three residents have passed part one in family medicine.

lest i forget, security situation: Harassment of health workers though very unfortunate is never an isolated phenomenon and no management will take that with levity. it has occurred in various places too. ARD is on the right path by ensuring justice is done.

I have taken my time to put up this so that all colleagues can be well informed. i am not speaking for any management and i have no allegiance to anyone. However, i am an unrepentant believer in the fact that the post (maybe not the personality per se) of the Medical Director of any hospital be rubbished for flimsy reasons. Every doctor is a potential Medical director so why don't we guide and treat that post with some dignity! 

The police incursion is an unfortunate one and no doctor will support that and despite all insinuations from ARD some of us were still called upon to rescue the situation. I must confess the NARD president and NMA chairman  are both my heroes in this episode. They have done so well!.

I remain faithful to the ARD creed but i will never be dragged into abandoning my principle for equity and just in all situations. The fact that you set up a fire does not mean the fire cannot burn you. 

Dr. Betiku, you talked about honesty, being courteous and honourable......I told the ARD FMC Owo president on Monday in Akure that is it fair in your congress meetings to refer to MDCAN as EMPTY CANS, MDCAN'T etc? Dr. Betiku is it fair for ARD FMC Owo to hold congress meetings at 8.00am on working days? The last two congress meetings were held at 8.00am in the mornings, does that show any respect for your patients, the hospital and your trainers? I weep for our generation. If the other unions decide to follow suit do you think the management will be fair to halt them? Have you read what other unions in the hospital posted in the dailies recently? We are gradually sending our profession to the gallows. Samuel Johnson in the rambler noted that almost all absurdity of conduct arises from imitation of those whom we cannot resemble.

I have not taken side with FMC Owo management on this issue for now, i have only set out to painstakingly investigate issues on both sides of the divide, but if, and when i decide to take side with any group i will definitely make it in an unambiguous fashion! I never succumb to intimidation or threats and of course never from a body i served diligently in various capacities with commensurate awards some years ago. I have a reputation to protect and will never shy away from that.......always!

I still believe i have every right under the sun to my independent assessment of issues for you cannot build character and courage by taking away a man's initiative and independence.

So long my brother but always remember there are two sides to a coin, you owe me a drink when you get back to town!

Good morning!

kunle Adesokan

My most respected Dr.Adesokan,

Am sure you know I hold you in very high esteem. Just thought this matter
could have been handled more amicably with mutual respect to ALL involved
and a high degree of HONESTY sustained! I do not intend to trade words with
you BUT I believe some measure of courtesy would help all of us. All I have
done so far is to INFORM HONOURABLE DOCTORS on this platform of the facts
on ground which has not changed even in my absence! It seems to me that
efforts are being made to WATER DOWN the ARD struggle at ALL COST and FROM
ALL ANGLES! This, I am sure you know, BEING A PAST ARD PRESIDENT is HIGHLY
PAINFUL AND UNFORTUNATE. You said the strike was too early, maybe people
can judge by the time they read this communiqué.

Maximum respect sir!

Dr.Betiku Bamidele

fmc sacks more doctors today

Despite the agreement between the medical director of FMC,Owo and the NMA Ondo branch elders on stoppage of sacking of doctors, the management just sacked more doctors this morning.

we will keep you informed.

meeting of ard with the nma medical elders and SEC

MEETING OF ARD WITH THE NMA MEDICAL ELDERS AND STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Sequel to the NMA Medical Elders meeting with the MD of FMC, Owo on Friday 16/11/12, a meeting of the NMA SEC and elders with the ARD was called.

Elders with pedigree nominated to interface in the crisis are Dr Oludare, Dr Adeyeri, Dr Kolawole, Dr Akenroye and Dr Ojo.

The resolutions made at the meeting were;

·        Doctors lounge should not be closed again and doctors should be allowed to walk freely without harassment

·        The house officers who were sacked are to be taken back but they must write an apology letter

·        No doctor will be victimized at the end of the strike action

·        The issue of conversion should continue as the management has planned and it should be done at the discretion of the management.

It  was noted at the meeting that the MD kept repeating that no money was allocated in  2012 for residency program and he has being using money generated from IGR to fund it.

He also said he wanted to issue out letters of conversion to some medical officers in the hospital on the day the strike commenced.

Present at the meeting yesterday were members of SEC ( Drs Noel, Ige, Gbelela, Aro, Elekwachi, Alewi), NMA elders (Drs Oguntuase, Fadahunsi, Adetan, Adekolurejo, Wilson, Adebose, Oludare, Alonge) and some ARD members (Drs Fawehinmi, Oke, Olarewaju, Adeniyi, Adeyeri, Fakorede, Lawal, Omotayo).

The meeting started around 5pm with the chairman briefing the members on the latest development as earlier highlighted and this was followed by an extensive discussion.

An elder noted that the MD has an ego problem which is due to the fact that ARD hurt him several times. He said it should be made mandatory to him to convert all medical officers in the hospital who are due for it and in as much as we don’t want his ego bruised, a timing on the conversion can be made.

Another elder said NMA is to mediate and get a peaceful resolution. If NMA has come this far against a management that seems to be walking alone, it should be noted that some doctors are bad managers. His appeal is for ARD to soft pedal on its actions because the management is losing money and the welfare of workers is paramount. We have made some points; the battle is not concluded but let’s allow the elders to continue the negotiation.

The issue of the constellation of the elders was talked about and it was suggested that a past FMC consultant and managerial staff in Dr Fadahunsi be part of the elders that are mediating. He immediately turned it down with reasons which were accepted by all present.

Dr Ajonu on his part wants a much more balanced composition of the elders which will help in a quicker resolution to this issue. He showed the council the advert placed out by the management to replace sacked doctors and said the intentions of MD to ARD are wicked

Much as we appreciate what the elders did, it will be very difficult for us to call off this strike if we don’t hear from the MD the reasons he chose to victimize doctors with fully armed policemen, locked the lounge & business centre and sacked our doctors.

He said that elders should also remember while mediating that a relationship will exist between the MD & ARD after the strike.

An elder in the house said the job is not for the elders but with the executives of NMA. He said the MD doesn’t have to add money to their salary. He wants the MD to convert them and the elders will then talk to ARD to give respect to him. He concluded by saying truly, respect begets respect.

Dr Aro appreciated the NMA on what they have being doing but commented on the response of the NMA Ondo branch chairman on NMA blog. This was also echoed by another elder in the house who said he was annoyed at the response of the NMA chairman on the blog. He proffered 3 ways on his way forward which are;

·        Issues of the elders should be put on hold for a while in order not for them to be insulted

·        Arrange a meeting with the MD in writing, not by telephone calls, and state a time for the meeting.

·        Go for the meeting with the immediate core executives

It should be stated to him that all those that should be converted be converted 1^st after which the discussion can continue. If he doesn’t accept, the meeting shouldn’t continue because all others won’t be important. If accepted, a written document to back it up must be signed by the MD and NMA chairman. He also wants NMA to stop mediating and take over the matter.

The chairman quickly interjected and said NMA can’t take over the matter now and a public statement has not being made since the struggle started for obvious reasons but he has discussed the issue with the NMA President.

One of the elders stood up and said the chairman should protect everybody here because the feedback he’s getting is not palatable.

The chairman was of the opinion that the main issue is we must achieve something for the present ARD members. He can employ a million people, it doesn’t matter to us.

On the issue of the elders, he said we went to meet them and they requested we call off the strike while negotiations continue but stopping the elders now will make them wary of answering our call the next time we need their help.

An elder feels we are using a sledge hammer to kill an ant. The MD is a member of the association that we can sit down and talk to. He is not a government official we are negotiating with. He should do what we request from him before we can continue the discussion. He feels the MD is making himself feel important. From the beginning, he created the problem and he’s just capitalizing on the fact that there’s no hospital board in the system. We should be affirmative on what we want from him. He thinks he can rule the place alone. We are not begging him, we can say he should be removed if he’s not careful.

The chairman said we will continue the negotiation till it is amicably resolved and we have a win-win situation. He wants the ARD to exercise restraint and not intimidate working doctors.

This statement got the ARD president annoyed and he immediately cautioned the chairman who later rephrased his statement.

It was noted that the initial reason we asked for the elders input was to massage the MD’s ego which obviously was not and cannot be massaged.

The General Secretary of NMA said the executives must see the MD tomorrow and tell him to convert all MO’s due to be converted.

In conclusion, the chairman said, after having looked at report from the elders, the SEC felt the quickest way to settle this issue is the conversion of the MO’s and unconditional reversal of sacked doctors.

Lastly, the letter written by JAC was regarded as insulting and should be disregarded as a non-issue.

·