The Federal Government of Nigeria has reinstated the suspended President of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja (FTHL), Kogi State, Dr. Jimoh Umar.
Dr. Umar, who serves as the President of ARD FTHL, was suspended in 2024 by the management of the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja for actions undertaken as the head of the union. These actions were part of a collective decision made by all the resident doctors at the hospital.
The notice of his reinstatement was conveyed in a communiqué issued at the end of an emergency congress meeting of ARD FTHL, dated January 18, 2025. The communiqué was signed by the association’s Vice President, Dr. Dolar Sandy, and General Secretary, Akinyemi Akinbode.
The congress noted the directive to reinstate Dr. Umar, as stated in a letter currently in the possession of the association’s national body and the office of the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja.
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According to the communiqué, “The congress salutes the efforts of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms. Kachollom Shangti Daju, mni, for approving the recommendation of the Human Resource Department, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, on December 12, 2024.
“The congress also acknowledges the efforts of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate; the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Prof. Bala Audu; the President of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr. Osundara Tope; and all other stakeholders who contributed to bringing this protracted suspension to an end.”
However, the congress expressed its dissatisfaction with the perceived frustrations caused by the Chief Medical Director of FTHL, Dr. Olatunde Alabi, accusing him of deliberately delaying the implementation of the reinstatement directive. They criticized his actions, which they believe undermine the efforts of the Coordinating Minister of Health, the Permanent Secretary, and other stakeholders.
The congress passed a vote of confidence in the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, and the Permanent Secretary, Ms. Kachollom Shangti Daju.
The association called on the CMD of FTHL to comply with the ministerial directive and reinstate Dr. Jimoh Umar without further delay.
The communiqué further stated, “The congress is aware of recent activities by the office of the Chief Medical Director of FTHL, Dr. Olatunde Alabi, aimed at thwarting the commendable efforts of the Honourable Minister of Health and Social Welfare.
“The congress charges the CMD, Dr. Olatunde Alabi, to fulfill all terms of the agreement reached during the tripartite meeting held on July 18, 2024, at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Abuja. We look forward to the immediate resumption of our President, Dr. Jimoh Umar.”
The communiqué concluded with a resolution to reconvene on January 25, 2025, to assess the progress made on the matter.
