Health Minister’s “Insensitive” Remark About Doctors Draws Criticism From Nigerians

By Ating Enwongo On Apr 10, 2020

Nigerians have been unsparing in condemnation of the minister of health,Osagie Ehanire for saying he was not aware whether government health workers were being paid hazard allowance.

The minister made the remark at a meeting between lawmakers and the members of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to discuss ongoing trends on the pandemic in the country on Thursday.

During the meeting Femi Gbajabiamila, the speaker, had asked the minister if the medical personnel handling coronavirus cases were paid any hazard allowance, to which he responded: “I am not aware of it.”

Ehanire further stated that the doctors were doing engaged in their routine job.

“It is the standard job they do every day; it is the standard job, ” he had stayed.

Ehanire’s response however made Nigerians on Twitter furious as some condemned him for demonstrating gross insensitivity to the plight of health workers who make sacrifice daily at great risk to their lives at the forefront of combating Covid-19.

See Reactions Below

• Dr. Osagie Ehanire •

– MBBS : Germany
– Residency: Germany
– Board Certification: Ireland

Came back to Nigeria and joined Shell Petroleum.

-2019: Minister of Health

It's obvious he hasn't faced HAZARD before…so he doesn't know what "Nigerian Doctors" go through!

??? pic.twitter.com/QZsJ0NajSP
— sports Dokita????? (@Sports_Doctor2) April 10, 2020

Nigerians are dragging the minister of health, left right and centre on twitter like a goat prepared for Nkwobi.

You will not see any of those loudmouth celebs join to speak up now.

They are all quiet and dumb now.
Until they are being dragged, they start crying like toddlers.
— #OurFavOnlineDoc ? (@DrOlufunmilayo) April 10, 2020

Health workers will keep going on strikes/leaving the country at the expense of the masses cos the leaders are so disconnected from the realities they face.

When a minister of health says he's not aware if the doctors r being paid their hazard allowances, then there's a problem.
— Adunni Achebe (@_Adadioramma) April 10, 2020

President – I'm not aware
Information minister- I'm not aware
Power minister- I'm not aware
Transport minister- I'm not aware
IG – I'm not aware
Boss Mustapha – I'm not aware
Minister of health- I'm not aware of hazard allowance for health workers

We run a 'I'M NOT AWARE" govt
— Professor Emeritus (@theDamorela) April 10, 2020

The health minister have gone further to demonstrate the gross insensitivity of the administration to the plight of health workers who sacrifice daily and bear great risk at the forefront of combating Covid-19. The minister of health who claims he's unaware of payment of hazard pic.twitter.com/RrjsLsQfjK
— NANNM Nigeria (@nannm_nigeria) April 10, 2020

In sane countries, the Minister of Health would have been forced to step down for that comment.
— Royalty (@royaltyuso) April 10, 2020

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I had watch this video over and over to be sure I heard the minister of health clearly.

He didn’t mince words or even stammer, came out straight that the reps had to remind him that this was a Novel virus we are dealing with. pic.twitter.com/9O4h7fAxgj
— Ronald Kelechi Ikpe MBBS, MSc (@ronikpe) April 10, 2020

I’ve been trying not to say this but the major disrespect we get is from the Nigeria Government.

The Incompetence in our health system became Visible with the Pandemic and now more than ever Doctors should be incentivized but our Minister of Health said it’s their “Standard Job”
— DANNY WALTER ? (@Danny_Walterr) April 10, 2020

Our former Minister of Health said Drs can be farmers, his tailor is a Dr.

Our New Minister of health doesn’t know if we are paid Hazard allowance and even doesn’t understand why we need it. After all #COVID19 screening is like our everyday job.

It’s Good Friday. No comment.
— Dr Chioma Nwakanma (@DrZobo) April 10, 2020

Boss Mustapha said he is not aware of the state of our hospitals.

Our Minister of Health said he is not aware if doctors treating Covid-19 patients are paid Hazard allowance.

It is finished! We don't mean anything to this people. I need to start looking for a new country. ?
— Alex Oluwatobi (@alexlobaloba) April 10, 2020

A whole Minister of health just openly said ‘he’s not aware if health professionals are paid hazard allowance’. He just disclosed he’s not competent for this job. What a shame! pic.twitter.com/SCYq3zAxbM
— Candy? (@AfricanCandy_) April 10, 2020

The minister of health must resign pic.twitter.com/rzbOoqpcpy
— Joseph Eseoghene Onovbiona (@drJOE411) April 10, 2020

The Minister of Health is a disgrace and should be fired. I appreciate Rt Hon @femigbaja for representing the interest of our Doctors where inconsequential placeholders have sold their souls to defend inanities just to keep their job at the expense of a whole institution. https://t.co/OQmlyPkOMo
— SEGA L'éveilleur®? (@segalink) April 10, 2020

Minister of Health, Osagie Ohanire, you are not aware? What are you aware of?? These doctors and nurses and other support staff put their lives on the line daily and even more so now!! More so now!!#TheirLivesMatter
You dropped the ball just like @femigbaja said….??
— Kate Henshaw (@HenshawKate) April 10, 2020

Our Minister of Health is a nincompoop.#MinisterOfHealthMustResign Folly everywhere in high places.pic.twitter.com/hhYX8EGSMk
— AyeMojubar ? (@ayemojubar) April 10, 2020

The point where the Minister of Health answered, “I am not aware” to the question of if Health care workers are being paid a Hazard allowance over #Covid_19 is the point he should have rendered his resignation. https://t.co/rlGuNZnFNj
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) April 10, 2020

Meanwhile hazard allowance for front line health workers to fight COVID-19 in Nigeria is N5,000.