In an exclusive interview with our correspondent on Sunday, its president, Prof. Bala Audu, affirmed this and said the association was ready to strike decisively if the government did not sufficiently address its concerns.
Prof. Audu emphasized the importance of the association’s requests for the survival of Nigeria’s healthcare system and the well-being of its medical workforce nationwide.
In response to the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission’s circular on updated benefits for medical and dental officers in the federal public sector, which the doctors objected to for breaking previous agreements, the NMA issued an ultimatum on July 2.
In order to prevent health sector industrial action, the group gave the Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum to revoke the circular and fulfill its other objectives.
“Our stance has been made known. The deadline is July 23. If the federal government doesn’t comply with our requests, we might be forced to go on strike,” he stated.
He claims that certain clauses in the circular were not agreed upon by both parties and that they compromise the well-being and compensation of medical professionals.
“We have categorically rejected that circular. “Any new directive that impacts our members should be the result of mutual consultation rather than being imposed,” he said.
Prof. Audu revealed that in order to prevent a crisis, the NMA had been interacting with the Federal Government.
The most recent meeting took place two weeks ago, and I attended along with the Permanent Secretary, the Director of Hospital Services, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, and a representative of the Minister of Labor.
“After thanking us, the minister discussed the topics included in the NMA’s list of requests.
However, he thought we ought to have another meeting, and one was planned for last week; sadly, we lost former President Muhammadu Buhari during that week, so the meeting was canceled.
But we have rejected the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission’s circular, which we believe is offensive, and the next meeting is scheduled to take place between us. Additionally, he said, “We would meet with representatives from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance.”
The president of the NMA voiced concern that there was not much time left and that the association would be forced to take industrial action if the meeting wasn’t conducted in the coming days.
We anticipate that government stakeholders will get back together with us by Monday following the burial rites. If not, the 21-day deadline remains in effect.
“A strike might be unavoidable if the government does not give this issue top priority,” he continued.
In a statement following its State Executive Council meeting, the Katsina State NMA branch expressed “unequivocal condemnation” and “grave disappointment” on the circular.
