Strike: NMA issues 21-day notice to FG to implement agreements

Following the protracted strike action by the National Association of Residents Doctors (NARD), the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has issued a 21-day notice to the Federal government to implement all the agreements in the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Medical body and its affiliates.

The NMA disclosed this in a communique issued at the end of its National Executive Council Meeting held in Edo State.

The theme of the meeting was “Medical Practice in the face of National Insecurity: Implications for Nigerian Healthcare Indices.”

Recall that NARD at its National Executive Council Meeting in July 30 declared that the strike action would commence August 2. The National President of NARD, Dr Okhuaihesuyi Uyilawa said the strike is due to the failure of federal government to implement the agreements it entered with the union after it suspended its previous strike.

In the communique issued, the Medical body noted that it has painstakingly reviewed and chronicled the various negotiation meetings between NARD and the federal government and bemoaned the unconscionable developments that have followed despite the interventions of the leadership of NMA.

It also said at the end of the 21days, it will convene an Emergency Delegate Meeting (EDM) to review the level of progress with a view to taking necessary steps to ensure full implementation.

NMA also expressed deep concern of the poor welfare of its members in Abia, Imo, Ekiti, Ondo and Anambra States where monthly salaries ranging from 4 to 20 months remain unpaid resulting in sufferings and deprivations.

It vows to pursue the matter using all lawful means to reverse what it described as unfair disenfranchisement of its members in the academia from attaining the apex of academic leadership position.

It said: “Council observed the exclusion of holders of Medical Fellowship from vying for the Vice Chancellorship positions in some Universities on the premise that Medical Fellowship is a professional qualification and not a degree equivalent of PhD as retrogressive and uninformed.

“Council notes with pride that the curriculum content of the Fellowship programmes, which encompasses both academic and professional aspects, are far in excess of any other curriculum for any postgraduate programme in any university in Nigeria, including the PhD programmes, and regrets the high level of ignorance and mischief perpetuated by the purveyors of this ill-advised division in the academia.

“Furthermore, the Council observed as provocative the stoppage of salary payment for doctors in academics using the CONMESS scale and firmly rejects these Circulars once again and advises the OHCSF to take immediate steps to withdraw them.

“Also noted with dismay by Council is the impact of withdrawal of healthcare service delivery in those States including the training of medical students at the States’ teaching hospitals. The Association calls on the National Economic Council (NEC), the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), National Council of Traditional Rulers and the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, as well as other stakeholders to as a matter of urgency intervene now before the matter escalates, as it may no longer guarantee industrial harmony if the salary arrears are not paid in the shortest possible time.

“Status of the Circulars of Contention from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF)
Council noted with displeasure the Circular removing House Officers and NYSC doctors from the Scheme of Service.

The Council further urge government to do more to stem the tide of insecurity as it cripples every other developmental effort; it also urged the citizens to stop fanning embers of discord, acrimony and ethno-religious separatist tendencies.