News: Nigerian Doctors To Begin Strike Tomorrow

Nigerian doctors will begin an indefinite strike tomorrow, after the Federal Government failed to heed a warning the doctors issued two weeks ago.
Speaking to the media in Abuja earlier today, the president of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Kayode Obembe, said the doctors had written an open letter to Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim, listing a set of grievances and demands.

“The post of Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (DCMAC) has been circularised and operational,” the doctors’ letter stated. It added: “Rather than abolish it, the NMA hereby demands that four DCMACs for teaching hospitals and three for the federal medical centers be appointed to assist the Chairmen, Medical Advisory Committee, whose statutory responsibilities are too heavy for any single individual to handle. Directors in other government agencies are supported by several Deputy Directors, why not the CMAC who is also a Director? Such a DCMAC must have same qualifications as the CMAC.”

The NMA demanded that all health workers should be able to attain the height of their career (grade level 17) without the nomenclature of “Director” in the hospital setting, arguing that in this way, the Teaching Hospital Act will not be violated.

“The NMA demands that grade level 12 (CONMESS 2) in the health sector must be skipped for medical doctors. Consequently, no medical/dental practitioner should be on that grade level anymore,” the doctors insisted.

They called for the immediate appointment of a “surgeon-general of the federation” as promised by President Goodluck Jonathan.

In addition, the doctors are demanded a minimum hazard allowance of N100, 000 per month for medical doctors, adding that the specialist allowance should be adjusted as contained in the 2009 collective bargaining agreement.

The medical association is urging that all doctors on CONMESS 3 and above must be paid specialist allowance or its equivalent that is not less than 50% higher than what is paid to other health workers.

“The position of Chief Medical Director/Medical Director must continue to be occupied by a medical doctor, as contained in the Act establishing tertiary hospitals. The position remains sacrosanct and untouchable,” the NMA further demanded.

The medical body also urged the institution of a health trust fund to facilitate the upgrade of all hospitals in Nigeria.