Medical Doctors/Dentists start indefinite strike today, Demand N100,000 hazard fee

The Nigeria Medical Association has directed its members nationwide to embark on an indefinite strike today, due to the failure of the Federal Government to meet their demand.

The NMA President, Kayode Obembe stated this in a press release yesterday.

Read his statement...

 “You remember the last time we discussed here was about the letter which we wrote to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and in that letter, we itemize about 24 key issues that could be solved so that we can prevent industrial action from taking place.

“I want to say as of this moment that the emergency delegate meeting of the NMA that met last Saturday has directed all doctors in the country to down tools as from 001 hours of July 1, 2014, which is today (Tuesday morning).

“I am now going to advise and also instruct everybody in this country to please prevail on the government to remove the sufferings of the common man by acceding to the demands of doctors.

“To make sure the job is easy for the government, we have prepared what we called minimum end points for the restoration of sustainable sanity in patient care in Nigerian hospitals. “

“We expect a circular from the government on Deputy Chief Medical Director that the status quo remains; the NMA is opposed to the appointment of directors in the hospitals; all health workers should attain the height of their career (GL17) without the nomenclature of ‘Directors’ in the hospital setting.

“NMA demands that Grade Level 12 (CONMESS 12) in the health sector must be skipped for medical doctors; the title ‘Consultant’ confers ownership of the patient on the specialist medical doctor and therefore should not be used by any other health worker in the hospital setting with immediate effect.”

“Other demands included that government should expedite the passage of the National Health Bill and extend the Universal Health Coverage to cover 100 per cent of Nigerians and not 30%; Surgeon General of the Federation must be appointed with immediate effect in accordance with Mr. President Jonathan’s pronouncement.”

“hazard allowance must be at least N100,000  per month for  medical doctors; immediate  withdrawal of the CBN circular authorising the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria to approve licences for the importation of In-Vitro Diagnostic (IVDs) and the position of Chief Medical Director/Medical Director must continue to be occupied by a medical doctor as contained in the Act establishing the tertiary hospital. This position remains sacrosanct and untouchable.”

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