BY Fredrick Nwabufo
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has announced that its members will embark on an indefinite strike on Tuesday.
At a media briefing on Monday, president of the association, Dr Kayode Obembe, said the body had to resume the strike it suspended on January 5, 2014. for failure of the government to meet its demands.
In an open letter to the secretary to the federal government of the federation, the association itemized some of its demands as follows:
“The post of deputy chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (DCMAC) has been circularised and operational. Rather than abolish it, the NMA hereby demands that four DCMACs for teaching hospitals and three for the federal medical centres be appointed to assist the chairmen, Medical Advisory Committee, whose statutory responsibilities are too heavy for any single individual to handle. Directors in other government agencies are supported by several deputy directors, why not the CMAC who is also a director? Such a DCMAC must have same qualifications as the CMAC.
“All health workers should attain the height of their career (GL 17) without the nomenclature of “Director” in the hospital setting. In this way, the Teaching Hospital Act will not be violated.
“The NMA demands that grade level 12 (CONMESS 2) in the health sector must be skipped for medical doctors. Consequently, no medical/dental practitioner should be on that grade level anymore.
“Surgeon-general of the federation must be appointed with immediate effect in accordance with Mr President Goodluck Jonathan’s pronouncement.
“Hazard allowance must be at least N100, 000 per month for medical doctors.
“Adjust the specialist allowance as contained in the 2009 collective bargaining agreement. Additionally, all doctors on CONMESS 3 and above must be paid specialist allowance or its equivalent that is not less than 50% higher than what is paid to other health workers.
“The position of Chief Medical Director/Medical Director must continue to be occupied by a medical doctor, as contained in the Act establishing tertiary hospitals. The position remains sacrosanct and untouchable.”
Besides its core demands, the association also demanded the setting up of a health trust fund that will enhance the upgrade of all hospitals in Nigeria.
Obembe reiterated that the NMA was taking this painful route because its silence and gentle approach to these contending issues have been taken for granted.
The association is basing its demands on the 2009 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
On June 13, 2014, the doctors had warned of a “total and indefinite” industrial action beginning from July 1, 2014, if the federal government did not “ensure the immediate passage” of the National Health Bill and also honour other agreements reached with the association.
They initially embarked on a five-day warning strike between December 18 and December 22, 2013, which was to be followed by an indefinite industrial action from January 6, 2014.
But they had an about-face, citing the need to allow for full implementation of all elements of the agreement between NMA and the government within set time lines.
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