The Chief Medical Director of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Dr. Abdulwaheed Olatinwo has described industrial action by health workers as criminal.

He maintained that strike in the health sector is totally uncalled for, saying that it is a crime against humanity.

Speaking during the discharge ceremony for three open heart surgeries patients at the hospital last Monday, he stressed that the down trodden in the society bear the brunt when health workers down tools.

The CMD further stressed that patients have a right to life, which they should not be denied through commission or omission by their care givers.

“Definitely it is your right to fight for your welfare but for any strike people will die in the process.

“What happens if your needs are met but some people die in the process?

“The people who suffer are the less privileged, the poor, the downtrodden. The rich can invite those on strike to come and attend to them at home. But the poor cannot afford such luxury.”

He, therefore, appealed to health workers to always channel their grievances and demands appropriately so as not to undermine the right of every human being to life.