Breaking: Edo doctors embark on 2-day warning strike over Okpebholo’s imposition of Tenebe’s brother as head of hospital mgt board

Edo State doctors under the umbrella of the Medical and Dental Consultants of Nigeria (MDCAN) have embarked on a two-day warning strike to protest the imposition of Nelson Tenebe, brother of the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Jarret Tenebe, as the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Edo State Hospital Management Agency (HMA).

Nelson Tenebe, who is alleged to have presented dubious and questionable academic qualifications, was recently appointed by Governor Monday Okpebholo following intense lobbying and political influence from his brother, Jarret Tenebe, sparking widespread outrage and controversy within the State’s healthcare system.

Doctors and other stakeholders in the sector, outraged by the appointment, which they described as “politically motivated,” had warned of its disastrous consequences on healthcare delivery in the State and threatened to shut down the system if the decision was not reversed.

The doctors under the aegis of MDCAN were said to have specifically petitioned the State Government, demanding a reversal of the appointment. However, following Okpebholo’s refusal to reconsider the decision, the doctors proceeded with the two-day warning strike to press home their demands.

A doctor, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity said, “The warning strike is a protest against the imposition of Nelson Tenebe, the brother of the Acting APC chairman, Jarret Tenebe, which we consider as a clear case of political interference in the health sector.

“As doctors, we cannot stand by while the state’s healthcare system is handed over to someone with questionable credentials. If the government does not address this anomaly, we will be left with no choice but to escalate our actions to protect the medical profession and the well-being of Edo people since it appears that the government doesn’t care about the people.”

The warning strike has already begun to take a toll on healthcare services across the State, with public hospitals scaling down operations. Non-emergency cases are being turned away, leaving patients and their families frustrated by the disruptions. Many are said to have resorted to alternative medicine or sought treatment at private hospitals.

MDCAN, however, has warned that if the government fails to address their concerns, they will escalate the industrial action, which could lead to a total shutdown of the healthcare system in the State.