Tuesday, 1 July 2014

DOCTORS BEGIN NATIONWIDE STRIKE TODAY




As doctors globally celebrate World Doctors Day today, doctors across Nigeria are embarking on a nationwide strike beginning from today.
National president of Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Dr. Kayode Obembe said this yesterday at a press conference in Abuja.
Obembe said the strike followed expiration of the two weeks ultimatum issued by the NMA to the federal government by doctors in public hospitals, adding that failure by government to meet NMA’s 24-point demand left doctors with no other option but industrial action.
The demands made by the NMA include a N100, 000 monthly Hazard Allowance for doctors; the payment of clinical duty allowance for honorary consultants and the appointment of deputy chairman, Medical Advisory Committee in teaching hospitals and federal medical centres.
The association in a veiled reference to other health workers is strongly opposed to the appointment of non-doctors as consultants, directors or chief medical directors.
Outside demands bordering on their welfare, doctors also called for the extension of health insurance to all Nigerians, describing as inadequate the 30 percent coverage target of the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS.
They also called for the immediate appointment of a surgeon-general by the federal government as promised by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Source: Nigerian Pilot

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