Chairman of NMA in Nasarawa state, Dr. Peter Attah.
Cecilia Onah, Lafia
The Nasarawa State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association, has commenced a five-day warning strike following the failure of the state government to improve the welfare of its members.
The strike began today at 8 am and it is expected to end on Monday, July 10, 2023, at 8 am.
The state’s NMA had on June 13, issued a 21-days strike ultimatum to the Nasarawa State government to meet its demands or face industrial disharmony.
The demands of the association are; non-implementation of promotion for doctors and annual salary increments; non-implementation of minimum wage and consequential adjustments; non-implementation of the reviewed hazard allowance and the accrued 17 months Arrears; inadequate manpower and overwork of doctors; high burden of taxation on doctors and medical residency training fund payment.
Speaking during a press briefing in Lafia on Wednesday, Chairman of NMA in the state, Dr. Peter Attah, said the decision to embark on the five-day warning strike was reached at the association’s meeting held on Tuesday in the state capital.
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He accused the state government of not being serious with addressing the plights of members of the association, adding that doctors and other medical workers in the state were suffering due to poor welfare packages from the state government.
“The state government did not show seriousness to meet our demands and we have been patient enough on the matter. So, after the 21 days notice, we have decided to embark on a five days warning strike which is starting today. We will resume work next week Monday, July 10, to take further decisions on the matter if the government fails to meet our demands before the said date.
“The strike action was unanimously decided by our members, so a monitoring team will be going round to check the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia and other 19 General Hospitals across the 13 Local Government Areas of the state, and any NMA member who defaults, will face the disciplinary committee of the association,” Dr. Attah added.
