Kogi: NMA threatens to resume strike, issues two weeks ultimatum

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Kogi State Council has threatened to resume strike it suspended in June, if the State Government fails to meet their demands in a fortnigh.

The NMA disclosed its readiness to engage the government in a communique issued at the end of the State Executive Council Meeting, signed by its Chairman Dr Godwin Tijani; and Secretary, Dr Zubair Kabiru, on Monday in Lokoja.

The association said that the decision to resume the strike was informed by government’s alleged failure to redeem the agreement entered into by the both parties in June 2017 to meet their demands.

“Following the suspension of our last industrial action in June 2017, the NMA has waited patiently with the hope that some of the pertinent issues that led to the strike will be resolved promptly.

“But to our dismay, rather than resolving these issues, more have been added. The condition of Doctors working with the State Government has degenerated.

“In November alone, a Doctor serving with the General Hospital, Ogori, and a Doctor’s wife in General Hospital
Obangede have died.

“Despite their health challenges, the undue hardships as a result of delayed and non payment of salaries cannot be completely ruled out and remained a contributing factor.”

The NMA stated further six Doctors working with the Kogi State Specialist Hospital (KSSH), including some of the recently employed ones have relocated to other states and more are still planning to leave as soon as possible.

“NMA deliberately delayed calling for a general congress meeting to avoid unnecessary industrial action.

“However, if nothing is done in the next two weeks, we will call for a congress meeting to decide on the way forward, which may not guarantee industrial harmony with doctors in the state,” the association said.

Six months ago NMA suspended its then 18-day-old strike to pave way for resolution to enable the government meet her demands, which include unresolved issues of promotion and annual step increment, non-implementation of skipping and relativity, cleared Doctors have remained unpaid for 11 months except August salary recently paid.

“Several Doctors working with Hospital Management Board (HMB) are still being underpaid, while newly employed Doctors have not been paid since resumption of duty in August 2017.

“In addition, all doctors working with Kogi Government now have a backlog of three months’ salary arrears for KSSH and four months for HMB”.

Idris Ahmed, Lokoja