Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, on Thursday issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to meet its demands or face an indefinite strike from July 1.
The NMA President, Dr Kayode Obembe, at a news conference in Abuja presented a copy of an open letter addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, for onward delivery to President Goodluck Jonathan.
In the letter, the NMA demanded for the appointment of four Deputy Chairmen, Medical Advisory Committee for Teaching Hospitals and three for Federal Medical Centres.
He said the deputy chairmen would assist the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, whose statutory responsibilities were too heavy for an individual to handle.
Obembe said the NMA was opposed to the appointment of directors in hospitals, saying that it distorts the chain of command, induces anarchy and expose patients to conflicting treatment.
“The position of a Chief Medical Director must be occupied by a medical doctor as contained in the Act establishing the tertiary hospitals.
“The title of consultant should be accorded medical doctors, who are specialist and not to be occupied by anybody who is a non-doctor consultant.
“If this happens, it will lead to chaos and anarchy in the health sector”, he said.
Obembe said the other issues were relativity in the health sector, and skipping of Grade level 12 for medical and dental practitioners.
The others included reintegration of its members back into the IPPIS platform, increase in duty and specialist allowances, among others.
“Much as we are not against salary increase for any category of workers, either in health or elsewhere, the NMA demands for immediate adjustment of the doctors’ salary. This will ensure the relativity as agreed.
“Speedy passage of the National Health Bill, a budget for residency training programme, appointment of a Surgeon General of the Federation and security for doctors and universal health coverage, among others.
“In the light of the foregoing, therefore, the NMA hereby gives the government 14 days to meet all her demands as stated above.
“Anything contrary will see the NMA calling out its members for a resumption of the total and indefinite withdrawal of services suspended on January 5.
“The NMA is taking this painful route because our silence and gentle approach to these contending issues have been taken for granted’’, he said.
The NMA president appealed to Nigerians to intervene and appeal to government to meet the association’s demands to avoid the strike.
Copies of the letter were sent to 17 other stakeholders, including President of the Senate, David Mark, Speaker, House of Representatives, Ministers of Health, Labour and Productivity, Finance and Head of Service of the Federation, among others.
Comments