Union Condemns NMA Strike

The National
Association of Nurses and Midwives (NANAM) Rivers State Chapter has in strong term condemned the strike action embarked upon by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) nationwide.
Speaking to The Tide, the State Chairman of the Union, Comrade Regina Kuru said the strike action was not best interest of the nation.
Kuru said the NMA strike was a clear indication that members of the medical profession we not expected to be on strike on issues that were unatterable.
She said NMA cannot use intimidation to achieve any result, stressing that dialogue with the various stakeholders remain the best option of achieving results in the health sector.
The Nurses boss called on NMA members to call-off the strike and face their professional commitment of providing health services in the various hospitals nationwide.
She said NMA merely embarked on strike over administrative issues that have nothing to do with their income.
Kuru appealed to Nigerians to prevail on the leadership of the NMA to immediately call-off the nationwide strike that began since July 1.
However, the Leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has embarked on indefinite strike following the expiration of their two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to meet its 24-point demand.
According to NMA President Dr. Kayode Obembe, the body opted for a total and indefinite strike after the negotiation with the Federal government failed to yield results.
Obembe said NMA took the action of indefinite strike in order to save the health care delivery system from anarchy that is probably imminent.
He said NMA had addressed an open letter to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in which NMA listed 24 point issue it wanted the government to address.
Some of the issues include reserving the position of Chief Medical Director to only Medical Doctors, appointment of Surgeon General of the Federation, passage of National health Bill and providing security for Doctors among others.

Philip Okparaji