Doctors to begin nationwide strike on Wednesday, December 18!

 

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Sunday said its members would embark on strike in public health institutions with effect from Wednesday.

The association said this in a communique it issued at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Minna, the Niger State Capital.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the meeting was held alongside an Emergency Delegates Meeting and the First Senator Dalyop Dantong Memorial Lecture from December 8 to 15.


The communiqué, which was signed by the NMA President, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, said the intended industrial action would be for five days, after which it would recommence after the yuletide season.

It said the action, which NMA said it was “constrained in taking,” was as a result of the failure of government authorities to respond to its demands.

“This will be in recognition of the extremely poor progress in the resolution of the demands of the NMA, and following the expiration of our last ultimatum issued to the federal government, which expired on Saturday, December 14, 2013,’’ the communique said.
 
It stated that doctors in public health institutions would consequently withdraw their services with effect from 8a.m. on December.

The NMA then urged members of the public and the media to “bear with the association during this period of withdrawal of services.’’

On September 2, the association had issued a 21-day ultimatum to the federal government to address the issues it tabled before it.

The issues had bordered on what the association said was some health sector challenges, workplace conditions and the condition of service of doctors.

However, the NMA had decided to extend her ultimatum by four weeks after her emergency NEC meeting held in Abuja on September 22.

Following the expiration of the four-week extension, the association had twice extended the ultimatum on account of government’s constitution of a Presidential Committee.