NMA blames incessant strike on govt failure to redeem promises

UCHE AKOLISA

The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has attributed incessant strikes in the health sector to failure by government to honour terms of agreements entered into with unions in the sector.

The President of the association, Dr Kayode Obembe, said this in Abuja, yesterday.

“The fundamental reason for incessant strikes in the health sector is when the government issues a circular and promises to fulfil that circular and the government now renege on that circular.

“Issuance of circular by government on any issue is a commitment of government, but non-issuance of circular shows that it is not committed but once the circular has been issued the government is committed.

“Once you are committed you are duty bound to fulfil the details of that circular,” said the NMA president.

Obembe, who decried the plight of patients during strikes, pleaded with government to desist from committing itself through issuance of circulars it cannot implement.

The president expressed displeasure over the plight of patients whenever workers in the sector embark on strike.

He assured of the association’s commitment in ensuring sanity in the sector.

Obembe, however, called for the cooperation of stakeholders in the sector to instil sanity in the system.

He also appealed to stakeholders in public health facilities to always consider the plight of patients before embarking on strike.