COVID-19: How Gbajabiamila‘s probing exposed Health Minister’s shocking ignorance

The response by the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, that he did not know if doctors treating COVID-19 patients were receiving hazard allowance, got Femi Gbajabiamila disgusted on Thursday.

The response saw Gbajabiamila, who is the Speaker of the House of Representatives, dress down the minister for being ignorant of happenings in his ministry.

Last week, the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), had accused Nigerian government of only paying doctors treating COVID-19 patients a paltry N5,000 a month as hazard allowance.

Consequently, the leadership of he National Assembly summoned members of the Presidential task force on COVID-19 to address some issues.

At the meeting of the two groups on Thursday, the Speaker had asked Ehanire if the medical personnel handling coronavirus cases are paid any hazard allowance.

To the chargrin of the leadership of the National Assembly, Ehanire answered: “I am not aware of it.”

He went further to add, “It is the standard job they do every day; it is the standard job.”

Gbajabiamila, who was apparently disgusted by that response, facing the minister, told him and “you dropped the ball”.

The Speaker said it was not enough for the minister to say he was not aware if the doctors receive hazard allowance.

Different reactions have been trailing the minister’s response with many Nigerians demanding he should resign his position for being ignorant of happening in his ministry.

READ ALSO: I’m just realising our healthcare system is in terrible state —SGF Mustapha

The claim by the minister happened the same when the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, also claimed ignorant of the poor state of Nigeria healthcare infrastructure.

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