Doctors to embark on strike in Zamfara, Dec. 10

The Zamfara State Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), is to embark on a one-week strike from Dec. 10.

The Chairman of the NMA in the state, Dr Mannir Bature, made the announcement in Gusau on Monday while briefing newsmen, saying that the congress of the association resorted to the strike option.

“We can recall that the National Association of Government General, Medical and Dental Practitioners, an affiliate of NMA, comprising doctors working with Zamfara State Government embarked on an indefinite strike that commenced on Nov. 30.

“This was as a result of breakdown in negotiations with representatives of the government on restoration of call-duty allowances for medical doctors working with the state government.

“The NMA in Zamfara State noted with great concern the continued decline in human resources for health in the state as a result of poor remuneration for health workers, despite attempts by the state to employ more health workers.

“We wish to categorically inform the state government that as long as the salaries of health workers in the state remain poor, the retention of health workers in the state will continue to be a challenge,” Bature said.

He said that the NMA had resolved that its members should withdraw their services in the state for a period of one week.

“By this resolution, therefore, all medical doctors in the state working with federal, state and private health facilities will withdraw all forms of services for a period of one week.

“We wish to regrettably inform the people of the state that this action became necessary, having exhausted all available platforms to ensure that the state government does the right thing by correcting the shortfall in the salaries of doctors,” said Bature.