The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) disclosed that the quick implementation of the August MoU with Resident Doctors, by MDAs, will see a quicker end to the strike.
The NMA disclosed this in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr Aniekeme Uwah, on Tuesday, in Abuja, after the association held a meeting with President Buhari on the 10th of September.
What the NMA is saying
“We call on the relevant MDAs of government to expedite action towards ensuring that the demands of all our members as encapsulated in the MoU signed on 20th Aug. 2021, are implemented.
“I urge the MDAs to implement these demands without any further delay in line with the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, so that our members, who are currently on strike, can return to work,” the NMA said.
READ: FG orders stoppage of salaries of striking resident doctors
The NMA said some statements made by the resident doctors were incorrect, citing statements by Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, President, National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), claiming he was not allowed to participate in meetings with the President.
They said the association’s constitution was not specific about who should be part of the delegation during courtesy visits.
“For clarity, there is no provision in the NMA constitution for who should be in the NMA President’s delegation during courtesy visits. Whoever is part of the delegation is purely at the discretion of the president.
READ: Doctors strike: FG pleads with Resident Doctors to negotiate
“Therefore, the allegation by NARD’s President, one of the eight affiliates of the association, that he was sidelined is incorrect and mischievous and should be taken with a pinch of salt.
“If insinuations should be made, it should be the other way round as the NARD’s president has consistently failed to carry the parent body along in her critical decision-making processes.
“The visit, though delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was the first by the present NMA National Officers Committee (NOC) since her election on May 30, 2020,″ the association added
READ: Doctors’ strike: FG and Joint Health Sector Unions reach truce deal
What you should know
Nairametrics reported last week that President Muhammadu Buhari called on striking health workers in Nigeria to return to work, urging that embarking on industrial action at a time when Nigerians need them the most is not the best action to take, no matter the grievances.
Buhari added that the establishment circular issued by the Head of Service, removing House officers, and NYSC doctors from the scheme of service had an addendum circular from National Salaries and Wages Commission to clarify that they would continue to earn the wages attached to them on their present wage structure.
