Kogi health sector may witness another round of industrial crisis- NMA warns

The Nigeria Medical Association, NMA Kogi State Chapter has warned that the State Health Sector may be plunged into another round of crisis if nothing is done to avert it.

Our Kogi State Correspondent reports that the State Chairman of NMA, Dr. Tijani Godwin Atayi gave the warning while speaking with newsmen in Lokoja on Monday August 28.

The NMA after its emergency congress held June 22, 2017 had suspended her industrial action for three Months and promised to reconvene in September to reappraise the suspended strike and resume if their demands are not met.

According to the NMA Chairman, “the three months ultimatum expires in September, but up till now, nobody has called NMA for meeting. All efforts to meet with Commissioner for health proved abortive. No concrete information from government on Revised CONMESS, Promotion and annual stepping. About eight of our members are still on the un-cleared list and have not being paid salary for several months. Underpayments still persist despite several reassurances from government. How long do we wait for this to be corrected. Nobody should blame NMA for any round of strike.”

He noted that NMA has shown understanding with the government and appealed to them to reciprocate that gesture to avoid any crisis in the State Health Sector.

"We are open to dialog and we will always do what will project this government in a positive way. We will always support the government to succeed and improve the health indices of the Kogi state but our demands should be address to reduce the financial burden my members are passing through. September is around the corner and no tangible effort has been made as regards the NMA demands. We want a concrete commitment from government by addressing these issues to ensure the industrial harmony enjoyed in the health sector is not truncated”, he said.

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