NMA accuses JOHESU of disrupting services offered by doctors

• Alleges locking up of clinical service points, equipment
• Seeks security for medical consultants, contract staff
• A’Ibom warns nurses, others against embarking on strike

The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has accused striking health workers of disrupting services offered by its members in government-owned hospitals nationwide by locking up clinical service points and equipment.

The NMA, in a statement signed yesterday by its President, Dr. Francis A. Faduyile and Secretary-General, Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote, called on the Chief Medical Directors (CMDs)/Medical Directors (MDs) of government-owned health facilities to provide adequate security for doctors and contract members of staff who are currently offering services within the hospitals.

The NMA, which said the lies being peddled around by Joint
Health Sector Union (JOHESU) regarding doctors’ emolument was an attempt to hoodwink the public against medical doctors, observed with dismay the maligning of the Minister of Health and that of Labour and Productivity by the JOHESU, calling them all sorts of uncomplimentary names, and the call for the removal of the Minister of Health.

The association said this act has finally exposed their motive for disrupting the progress recorded in the Ministry of Health in the last three years of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

It, therefore, called on the Federal Government and its representatives, including the Minister of Health and that of Labour, to continue to stand with the truth and international best practices in ensuring the improvement of the health indices of Nigerians.

Also, the Katsina State branch chairman of the NMA, Dr. Mohammed Usman, has said that the association has been able to save hundreds of patients’ lives through extra services rendered at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Katsina State since the ongoing strike by JOHESU.

Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State Government has said that nurses in the state have no reason to go on strike and also warned that striking health workers under the JOHESU should return to their duty posts.

It said they would be held responsible should any life is lost during this period of strike.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dominic Ukpong, gave the order yesterday while speaking with journalists in his office in Uyo.