NMA Boss Explains Doctors, Strike Option

The Nigerian medical Association (NMA), says it is committed to serve the interest of Nigerians even as the body insists on going on strike by Monday, January 6, 2014.

The Chairman of NMA, Rivers State, Dr. Ibitrokoemi Korubo made this disclosure in a chat on the reasons for the association’s full scale strike action to be expected come January 6, 2014.

Korubo said, “we want the public to trust us, our agitations are not based on remunerations, but for safer, informed and enhanced healthcare delivery services for all Nigerians, we need equipment, manpower development, adequate funding of hospitals and support for research projects”.

The NMA boss called on the federal Government to look into the issues raised by the doctors and point out where they have erred or were being selfish.

“Government need to invest in health, government must live up to its responsibility; they should look into our document and do what they would do or come up with evidence that we are being selfish”, he said.

Korubo noted that doctors in Nigeria have done very well and can compete successfully with their counterparts in the developed world adding, “We have had two cases of sure for suckle cell in Nigeria by Nigerian doctors, we don’t want withdrawal of our services, we must our patients with quality service or no service at all”, he continued.

He urged the Federal Government looks into their matter before January 6, 2014 stating that doctors would have not choice but to down tools after the deadline.

The doctors had declared a five-day warning strike from December 18, to 22, 2013 and threatened to embark on total nationwide strike by January 6, 2014 if their demands were not met.

Earlier in his remarks, the President of the National Union of Ogoni Students (NUOS), Comrade Kpuinen Meedubari, pledged continued support to Governor Amaechi and Senator Abe, in appreciation of their contributions to the development of students in the state.

Tonye Nria-Dappa