NMA explains reasons for ending strike action

Nigerian doctors on Saturday voted to end their 55-day-old industrial action because the government has met some of their demands, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) said on Sunday.

However, President of the association, Dr Lawrence Obembe, said negotiations still continue.

Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, Obembe formally announced the suspension of the strike, saying NMA delegates met at an emergency session on Saturday to reach the decision.

“Nigeria is currently faced with health challenges and threats posed by the outbreak of the Ebola virus,” he said.

“Whereas concerted efforts are being made by stakeholders, including medical and dental doctors (despite the strike action), to contain this outbreak;

“In response to the disease, burdens, sufferings and aspirations of ordinary Nigerians;

“Having considered the interventions of the president and commander-in-chief of the federal republic of Nigeria, the senate president, national assembly, various organs of government and other well-meaning Nigerians;

“Delegates resolved to suspend the strike action in the interest of urgent national emergencies while negotiations continue.”

Obembe disclosed that some of the demands of the association in the sphere of clinical governance had been met, while the “areas of injustice” were being addressed as well.

“The areas that deal with clinical governance, we have been able to extract from the government various circulars,” he said.

“For example, circulars have now being issued that only doctors whose degrees are registered with the Nigeria Medical Council can get the title consultants. And also, we have been able to extract a circular that the post of deputy chairman, medical advisory committee, has been reinstated.

“We can also tell you concretely that the government has said to us that there are no efforts to rescind the decree establishing the position of chief medical director. So those are the areas of clinical governance.”

Obembe further said that the government had promised to increasing the hazard allowance of doctors, which is currently N5,000 monthly, to 20 per cent of their salaries.

“The NMA urges government, on its part, to reciprocate its goodwill in ensuring that resident doctors whose appointments were so terminated are reinstated immediately without any punitive measures,” he added.