Withdraw Suit Against Striking Doctors, NMA Tells FG

The Nigerian Medical Association in Enugu State has urged the
Federal Government to withdraw the case instituted against the
Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors to bring about an amicable
resolution.

Chairman of NMA Enugu State Branch, Dr Jude Onyia, made the call
in Enugu while speaking to newsmen.

The Ministry of Health, and the Federal Government through the
Ministry of Labour approached the National Industrial Court through
an ex-parte motion praying for an order of interlocutory injunction
restraining NARD in all States of the Federation from further
continuing with the industrial action embarked on August 2.

Onyia noted that at no time had court suits brought amicably
settlement of industrial disputes.

“For a harmonious settlement to be reached, dialogue is the only
answer.

”Resident doctors have remained the main professional workforce
in tertiary health institutions in the country. They constitute
over 50 per cent of the workforce,” he said.

The chairman noted that the medical consultants might be working
but it might not be effective; the number of patients to be
attended to would be reduced as well.

He noted, “The striking doctors are enjoying the sympathy of the
general public”, adding that it would be in the best interest of
all for amicable settlement and plights of doctors looked into
objectively.

“The National Executive Council of the NMA will be meeting on
Wednesday, in Benin, where we hope to discuss the strike
extensively but the Federal Government must withdraw the suit
against NARD.

“The government needs to also withdraw the circular by the Head
of Service removing House Officers and NYSC doctors from the scheme
of service.

“There should be a relative atmosphere of peace for dialogue and
round table discussion, which is the needed negotiation to take
place,’’ he said.

He lamented the insensitivity of the paltry N5,000 given to
doctors as hazard allowance in the face of their exposure to
dreaded diseases such Lassa fever, Ebola, and COVID-19, which had
claimed the lives of some doctors already.

“The government and entire nation have to rally round our
doctors to check their exodus from the country, which portends more
danger for the health sector and well being of the entire
citizens.

“If the current number of doctors still giving service in the
country, is further reduced, it will surely tell on the health
system of the country and the burden will be enormous.

“The capacity of the medical system to have a good number of
doctors to attend to unforeseen nationwide health emergencies would
be hampered,” he warned.

NARD began its strike on August 2, over what it called the
failure of the government to meet its demands after they entered a
memorandum of action in 2014.

One of the demands was for the withdrawal of the circular by the
Head of Service removing House Officers and NYSC doctors from the
scheme of service.

NARD also wants the federal and state governments to address the
issues of welfare, training, and service delivery. (NAN)

The Nigerian Medical Association in Enugu State has urged the
Federal Government to withdraw the case instituted against the
Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors to bring about an amicable
resolution.

Chairman of NMA Enugu State Branch, Dr Jude Onyia, made the call
in Enugu while speaking to newsmen.

The Ministry of Health, and the Federal Government through the
Ministry of Labour approached the National Industrial Court through
an ex-parte motion praying for an order of interlocutory injunction
restraining NARD in all States of the Federation from further
continuing with the industrial action embarked on August 2.

Onyia noted that at no time had court suits brought amicably
settlement of industrial disputes.

“For a harmonious settlement to be reached, dialogue is the only
answer.

”Resident doctors have remained the main professional workforce
in tertiary health institutions in the country. They constitute
over 50 per cent of the workforce,” he said.

The chairman noted that the medical consultants might be working
but it might not be effective; the number of patients to be
attended to would be reduced as well.

He noted, “The striking doctors are enjoying the sympathy of the
general public”, adding that it would be in the best interest of
all for amicable settlement and plights of doctors looked into
objectively.

“The National Executive Council of the NMA will be meeting on
Wednesday, in Benin, where we hope to discuss the strike
extensively but the Federal Government must withdraw the suit
against NARD.

“The government needs to also withdraw the circular by the Head
of Service removing House Officers and NYSC doctors from the scheme
of service.

“There should be a relative atmosphere of peace for dialogue and
round table discussion, which is the needed negotiation to take
place,’’ he said.

He lamented the insensitivity of the paltry N5,000 given to
doctors as hazard allowance in the face of their exposure to
dreaded diseases such Lassa fever, Ebola, and COVID-19, which had
claimed the lives of some doctors already.

“The government and entire nation have to rally round our
doctors to check their exodus from the country, which portends more
danger for the health sector and well being of the entire
citizens.

“If the current number of doctors still giving service in the
country, is further reduced, it will surely tell on the health
system of the country and the burden will be enormous.

“The capacity of the medical system to have a good number of
doctors to attend to unforeseen nationwide health emergencies would
be hampered,” he warned.

NARD began its strike on August 2, over what it called the
failure of the government to meet its demands after they entered a
memorandum of action in 2014.

One of the demands was for the withdrawal of the circular by the
Head of Service removing House Officers and NYSC doctors from the
scheme of service.

NARD also wants the federal and state governments to address the
issues of welfare, training, and service delivery. (NAN)