NMA begins five-day strike on Wednesday

Due to poor progress by the Federal Government in the resolution of its demands, the Nigerian Medical Association on Sunday declared that it would embark on a five-day nationwide strike beginning from Wednesday, December 18, 2013.

President of the Association, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, accused the Federal Government, during a press briefing after the conclusion of the NMA’s National Executive Council meeting which held between December 8 and 15 in Minna, the Niger State capital, of handling their demands with levity, adding that a collapse of the health sector was imminent.

He said “For the poor progress in the resolution of the demands of the NMA, and following the expiration on Saturday, December 14, 2013 of the ultimatum given, the NMA is constrained to declare an industrial action with effect from Wednesday, December 18, 2013.

“Doctors in public health institutions shall withdraw their services from Wednesday. The action will last for five days, and if the Federal Government does not meet our final ultimatum on the implementation of the agreement reached by the two parties, we will now consider an indefinite strike.

“The bone of contention includes the upgrade of hospital facilities and infrastructure; improvement in doctor’s working conditions; and the erroneous feature of the adopted salary payment structure known as Consolidated Medical Salary Structure.

“After several postponements of deadlines for meeting all the demands since July, and on account of the intervention of some stakeholders, we have finally chosen December 18, 2013 to go on strike.”

While appealing to the members of the public to bear with the NMA during the strike period, Dr. Enabulele said “we would have gone on an indefinite strike but because of the yuletide season which is more of a delicate period.”