By Ralph Oluwatoyin
The Chairman, National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP), Ekiti State Chapter, Dr. Alo Akinleye, has debunked the statement credited to him in the online publication of the Premium Times of March 16th 2023.
Addressing journalists at the Secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ado-Ekiti, the State capital, Dr. Alo stated that he was misrepresented and misquoted in the report.
According to the publication as presented by the NAGGMDP Chairman in Ekiti, “Mr. Akinleye said the Governor who has only spent a couple of months in office has NOT shown commitment to improving the welfare of doctors and resolving the issues that have lingered from the past administration”.
Whereas, what he said as he explained was that, “the Governor who has only spent a couple of months in office has shown commitment to improving the welfare of doctors and resolving the issues that have lingered from the past administration”.
He explained that the insertion of “NOT” as published by the Premium Times, changed the whole tune, tone and complexion of the publication which was meant to draw attention to the state of the Primary and Secondary Healthcare levels, while at the same time appreciating the giant strides and the commitment the Governor has displayed to the welfare of workers since assumption in office.
“While we press that the Ekiti State Healthcare is made attractive for young doctors, we do not doubt the sincerity and commitment of His Excellency, the Governor of Ekiti State to address the issues we have raised and we are more than committed to ensure the success of his administration”.
Similarly, the Chairman remarked that the publication equally stated that the NAGGMDP Ekiti was set to down their tools beginning from midnight of of Friday 17th of March contrary to the fact that, they were scheduled to hold a meeting of the Association to reappraise the expired ultimatum and hadn’t concluded going on strike at the time. Adding that at the said meeting last Friday, “our members decided to give the State Government an additional month to perfect the issues concerning the welfare of doctors working in State”. Alo explained.
Dr. Alo claimed that he has reached out to the reporter in question and that he promised that the error would be corrected but has not done so.
The Chairman while congratulating the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Abayomi Oyebanji, on the overwhelming success recorded in the just concluded State Assembly election in the State and for the smooth handling of the State affairs, urged well meaning Ekiti people to join in appealing to the young doctors to join them in moving the health sector in Ekiti forward.
He noted that the young doctors are the most needed at the moment to complement the hands in the system currently. According to Dr. Alo,” if they keep leaving the system, everyone would bear the brunt.”
