TheCable

The Ondo chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) says it will direct its members to commence a strike if the state government fails to fulfil its promise of reviewing their hazard allowance.

Addressing journalists on Monday to kickstart the NMA 2023 Physicians’ Week, Omosehin Adeyemi-Osowe, chairman of NMA in the state, said members of the association have exercised “enough patience” over the failure of the government to implement 100 percent hazard allowance.

He said the association may not be able to guarantee industrial harmony in the health sector if the state government failed to release a circular for the implementation of the hazard allowance by October 24.

“As we all know and can bear witness to, our dear country is passing through a very difficult time and we as citizens bear the brunt. We as an association are exploring all peaceful avenues towards securing some economic reprieve for our beloved members,” he said.

“The progress towards payment of slightly improved salary to our members is just too slow. We are using this opportunity to call on the government to immediately commence the payment of the recently reviewed consolidated medical salary scale ( CONMESS) and consolidated health salary structure (CONHESS) salary structures with their arrears and also the accoutrement allowance for medical doctors and dentists.

“I hope there won’t be a need for us to engage in another round of agitation for the implementation of what has been circularized since July 2023. Let’s make hay while the sun shines.”

The NMA chairman added that the association denounces the persistent attempt by certain individuals and bodies to interfere with the regulation of medical education and standards.

He said such a regulation relates to board licensing of foreign-trained medical graduates.

There have been reports that 529 foreign-trained medical and dental graduates failed the assessment examination conducted by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

Adeyemi-Osowe said the NMA has reviewed the processes and content of the exams, adding that any medical graduate who fails the test should be humble enough to seek help.

“We stand with the MDCN on this and encourage the registrar to remain undaunted as no one can intimidate him while we watch,” he said.

“As stated in the physicians’ pledge, we shall do all within our power to defend the honour and noble traditions of medicine.

“If our government does not value the life of Nigerians, then the NMA does and shall insist on not unleashing terror on Nigerians by licensing unqualified medical and dental graduates.

“Those that pass the licensing exams are not aliens. If you cannot pass then seek help and try again.

“We wish to especially call on our beloved national assembly to resist being used under any guise to compromise the quality of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.”