NMA Decries Workers’ Protest Against Minister

The Nigerian medical Association (NMA)  said last week’s protest by the health workers under the umbrella of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) against the leadership of the Federal Ministry of health was politically-motivated.

The health workers, who protested from the Federal Secretariat to the National Assembly, demanded the sack of the Health minister, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, among others.

The protesters, who alleged that the Minister was biased by supporting doctors against other health workers, raised the alarm on some provisions of the National Health Bill currently before the National Assembly, which they said were projected to favour doctors.

Addressing newsmen recently after the meeting of the NMA National Executive Council (NEC), the association President, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, said the health workers are being used to scuttle the passage of the bill.

Passing a vote of confidence in the health minister and his leadership, the group urged the National Assembly not to be distracted,adding that it should give the National health Bill to Nigerians in line with the international best practice.

Dr. Enabulele said: “NEC observed with great dismay the recent reckless, selfish and ill-motivated protest march against the Minister of health, Prof. Chukwu, by a handful of allied medical and health professionals/workers, NEC viewed the politically-motivated protest as an act of desperation and blackmail to undermine the resolve of the Minsiter of Health to transform Nigeria’s health care sector through the institutionalization of professionalism and international best practices.