Coalation of medical interns in Gombe Specialists Hospital have staged a protest on Monday over the nonpayment of their 13 months’ salaries.
The coalition, comprising intern pharmacists, nurses, radiographers, physiotherapists, medical laboratory scientists, amongst others, called on the state Governor, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya to look into it as a matter of urgency.
The interns who put on white laboratory coats displayed placards and banners with different inscriptions, such as “13 months without Pay we can’t afford”, “We are tired of healthcare segregation”, “Pay us our salary”, “end this salary injustice now!!!”, “We are hungry”, Healthcare workers deserve their right.” Among others.
In a video obtained by Daylight Reporters, the protesters are seen gathered in front of accident and emergency unit of the Gombe Specialists Hospital. A voice in the video asserted that, “This is what we harbour in our hearts. We have long been patient enough. We have no option left than to do this. We have 13 months without salaries.”
Speaking with journalists, spokesman to the coalition, Mr Maxwell Solomon said, “Some of us have been here for almost 18 months now, no pay, and we started together with others.
“Some of these officers came behind us, and they paid them money, we’re not happy with that. Is the governor aware of these things?
“We’ve gone there, we’ve gone to the hospital management board several times, they’ve been deceiving us, so we don’t know.”
Speaking with our reporter, one of the interns who pleaded anonymity, decried the state government’s refusal to pay them despite signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the matter with a pledge to pay as soon as possible.
He lamented that the state government reneged on the agreement.
The group claimed they had exhausted all mediums for constructive dialogue and would be left with no other option than to boycott work, should the government fail to heed their cries by the end of the month.
