The Nasarawa State Chapter of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and its members have disclosed their intention to embark on a 3-day warning strike from Sunday midnight over matters concerning their welfare.
The Chairman of the association, Dr. Bulus Umaru, while briefing with the
journalists in Lafia, disclosed the information.
Dr. Bulus Umaru, speaking on behalf of the association, said the
association had given the state government enough time to address the demands presented
by the association with regards to their welfare but the state government has
not been forthcoming.
"Some of the demands which includes; high tax, lack of promotion of its members
since 2012, 22 month arrears of corrected salary structure amounting to over
N400 million among others are yet to be taken into consideration, the Chairman
said.
He stated that in February this
year, the state government did setup a committee to look into all their demands
with the view of addressing them, but the committee is even yet to be
inaugurated till date.
"The committee feels the government
is not taking the matter serious, therefore they’ve come to a conclusion to go
for a warning strike coming Sunday Midnight."
However, he stated that the
strike is only for the doctors in the private sector but if the government fail
to do the needful during the period of the strike, then those in the private
sector will most likely be inclusive.
The Commissioner for Health, Roseline Kela, when contacted
concerning the issue, appealed to the association to be patient with the state
government and that they are doing everything possible to meet the doctors
demand.
