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Medical companies throughout Nigeria might face a complete shutdown by Thursday because the Nigerian Medical Affiliation (NMA) has threatened to start a nationwide strike if the federal authorities fails to fulfill its calls for earlier than the expiration of its 21-day ultimatum.
The affiliation, which represents medical doctors nationwide, issued the warning over unresolved points surrounding remuneration and welfare.
NMA
, Prof. Bala Audu, said that the affiliation can be left with no choice however to withdraw companies if its calls for usually are not met by July 23.
He particularly condemned a latest round issued by the Nationwide Salaries, Incomes and Wages Fee, describing it as a violation of beforehand agreed phrases regarding allowances for medical and dental officers.
“Now we have rejected that round outright,” Audu declared. “We count on that any new directive affecting our members ought to end result from mutual session, not unilateral imposition.”
He emphasised that the unresolved points are vital to the survival of the already strained healthcare system in Nigeria and require pressing authorities consideration.
Audu additional disclosed that though the NMA has held conferences with senior authorities officers, together with the Coordinating Minister of Well being and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, and the Minister of State for Well being, Dr. Iziaq Salako, no significant decision has been reached.
He warned that the federal government’s continued delay might plunge the nation’s well being sector into disaster if speedy steps usually are not taken to avert the looming strike.
“The final assembly held two weeks in the past included all related stakeholders—the Well being Ministers, Everlasting Secretary, Director of Hospital Providers, and a consultant from the Ministry of Labour,” he stated.
“We have been meant to reconvene final week, however the demise of former President Muhammadu Buhari disrupted the schedule.”
Audu defined that the subsequent assembly is anticipated to contain the Ministry of Finance and the Salaries and Wages Fee whose round triggered the protest, in addition to officers from the Ministry of Well being.
With the July 23 deadline quick approaching, the NMA has urged the Federal Authorities to take the matter significantly and act swiftly to stop avoidable disruptions to healthcare companies throughout the nation.
“We’re working out of time. If we don’t meet throughout the subsequent few days and resolve these vital points, industrial motion could also be inevitable,” Audu warned.
He added that medical doctors usually are not desirous to abandon their posts, however wouldn’t permit authorities insurance policies to undermine their welfare and the standard of healthcare supply within the nation.
The NMA had on July 2 given the Federal Authorities a 21-day ultimatum to withdraw the disputed round and tackle different urgent calls for, failing which it could provoke a nationwide strike.
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