NMA urges govt intervention in

The Oyo State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has appealed to the Federal Government and other stakeholders to intervene in the ongoing strike by medical doctors in Osun state over unpaid salaries and allowances

The NMA wants the Federal Government to prevail on the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola to meet the demands of the striking doctors and restore peace to the state’s health sector.

The NMA Chairman, Dr. Muideen Olatunji at a press conference in Ibadan, declared that the strike since it started has made hospitals around the state non-functional with patients resorting to private hospitals.

In his address titled “Halt This Genocide”, he said the resulting effects of the strike has led to increase in quackery across the state, increased maternal mortality and other forms of mortality.

Olatunji pointed out that all peaceful efforts of their colleagues to get the government to pay their entitlements have met brick walls noting that the state government in a bid to complicate the matter had issued three-sack threats on the workers.

He said it was worrisome that the government that got the support of the people during his elections has advertised for new doctors in a bid to replace the striking doctors who are demanding for their rights.

“As if to add salt on injury, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has issued the third sack threat pretending not to know the difference between resignation and sack. Instead of using the bailout fund to clear the arrears of salaries, the government of Osun State was embarking on white elephant projects at the detriment of the doctors and other citizens in the state.

“To this end, it is imperative to appeal to well-meaning Nigerians and other stakeholders within and outside the sector to as a matter of urgency intervene before it degenerated into a national crisis”, he said.

“It is necessary to inform not only the general public but also the Federal Government, EFCC, ICPC, DSS and individuals who are passionate about Osun State, of the on-going genocide in the state, being orchestrated by the government of the day”, he said

Olatunji further remarked that the strike has impoverished many of their colleagues as some of them now resulted to begging to meet their daily challenges.