The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, has said it will embark on an indefinite doctors’ strike with effect from January 6, 2014.
In a statement issued at the end of the National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting in Abuja, NMA President, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, and Secretary General, Dr. Akpufuoma L. Pemu, called on Nigerians to charge the Federal Government to take necessary actions in order to avert the nationwide strike.
The union stated that its NEC had resolved to continue with the warning strike action as previously planned, until it sees that government is set to meet minimum demands.
”The NEC reaffirmed the earlier decision of the Association to limit the duration of the warning strike action in deference to the yuletide season and as a mark of the Association’s appreciation of the appeals of well-meaning Nigerians, but to commence a total strike action (if the issues are not satisfactorily resolved) on January 6, 2014″, NMA said.
Meanwhile,the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, has also threatened to join the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, for a national on strike on December 28, 2013.
It, however, described the medical doctors’ warning strike as “uncalled for”.
President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Pharm Olumide Akintayo, in a statement entitled: “Doctors’ Strike: Matters Arising”, alleged that strikes by Nigerian doctors were for pecuniary gains.
“What goes on presently during strike action of doctors is that they are paid for services not rendered during strike. Government needs to halt this by employing doctors who are desirous to work on locum basis as we have seen practiced by some State Government with great efficacy”, he said.
According to him, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria do not embark on strikes for attracting professional privileges.
On the impending action, Akintayo noted that if for any reason government compromises its pact with Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, in August 2013, “the Federal Government will leave the PSN with no other choice than to mobilize pharmacists in both the public and private sector to join forces with JOHESU, which has given a December 28, 2013 deadline to enforce the right of its members, as agreed with representatives of the Federal Government at its meetings of August 26th to 27th, 2013 in Abuja.
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