Strike: Nasarawa state appeals to doctors to save lives

On Jul 7, 2023

The Nasarawa State Government has appealed to members of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in the state to reconsider their stance on the ongoing strike to save the lives of patients in various hospitals across the state.

Recall that the state NMA Chairman, Dr. Peter Attah, at a press briefing in Lafia, the state capital, on Wednesday, noted that the association at its meeting on Tuesday, had resolved to embark on a five-day warning strike. He said the strike, which commenced on Wednesday would end on Monday, July 10, 2023, at 8 am. The association had earlier issued a 21-day strike ultimatum to the state government to meet its demands or face industrial disharmony.

The state NMA mentioned its demands, which include “the non-implementation of promotion for doctors and annual salary increments; the non-implementation of the minimum wage and consequential adjustments; the non-implementation of the reviewed hazard allowance and the accrued 17-month arrears; inadequate manpower and overwork of doctors; a high burden of taxation on doctors; and medical residency training fund payment.”

“The state government did not show seriousness in meeting our demands, and we have been patient enough on the matter. So, after the 21-day notice, we have decided to embark on a five-day warning strike, which is starting today (Wednesday). We will resume work next week on Monday, July 10, to take further decisions on the matter if the government fails to meet our demands before the said date” the association noted.

However, the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, while speaking to newsmen in Lafia, appealed to the striking doctors to call off the strike.

He said: “We are appealing that the members of the NMA in the state should call off the strike. They should put the lives of their patients who may be stranded now into consideration. The government is still open for negotiations with the Doctors because we value the health of our people. We told them that the governor had already approved the Residency Training Programme and I promised to show them the approval letter” he added.

Wumi/Punch