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NMA Issues FG 21-Day Ultimatum To Resolve Industrial Disputes With NARD, Others
The Nigerian Medical Association has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve all lingering industrial actions with the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, and other affiliate members.
This ultimatum is part of the resolutions reached during its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, held in Benin City.
“After due consideration, NEC put the Federal Government on a 21 days’ notice to fully resolve all the issues contained in the various agreements signed with Affiliate members of the Nigerian Medical Association (including MDCAN, MEDSABAMS, and NARD),” the statement jointly signed by its President, Prof Innocent AO Ujah and Secretary, Dr. Philips Uche Ekpe, read.
According to the doctors, if the Federal Government fails to implement the agreements after the expiration of the 21- day notice, the NMA will summon an emergency delegate meeting.
“In the event that the FG fails to implement the agreements after the expiration of the 21 days’ notice, NMA shall summon an emergency delegate meeting to review the progress made on the implementation of the agreements,” the NMA added.
Full Support
NMA’s ultimatum is the latest in the lingering tussle between the Nigerian government and NARD which has gone on strike since July 31.
Despite a series of meetings between the Federal Government and the striking doctors, no resolution has been reached.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, had in the wake of the disagreements threatened to invoke the “no-work, no pay” rule on NARD.
But the NMA has thrown its weight behind the striking doctors and other health workers.
“The Nigerian Medical Association fully supports all her affiliates in their efforts to improve the healthcare delivery in Nigeria and the welfare of her members,” it assured.
“NEC affirms that no doctor shall be victimized for participating/not participating in the strike action by NARD.”
August 29, 2021
Resident Doctors Still On Strike Due To ‘Lack Of Trust’ – NMA
A deep distrust of the Federal Government’s ability to implement its promises is behind the prolonged strike of resident doctors across the country, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) said on Monday.
“The problem we face is that when agreements are signed, everybody goes to sleep,” NMA President, Innocent Ujah, said during his appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
“So there is this distrust among workers. And this is not good for the country; because we expect that those who work for our President should be truthful, honest and should comply with the agreement.”
There were indications that the three-week-old strike would soon be called off after the doctors, under the aegis of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) met with Federal Government representatives in Abuja over the weekend.
The meeting was brokered, in part by the NMA, which is the parent body of all doctors in the country.
But the resident doctors refused to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) produced at the end of the meeting, citing the government’s decision to institute a court action over the strike.
The resident doctors also said the government must reverse its ‘no work, no pay’ policy.
Meanwhile, a NARD spokesperson, Julian Ojebo, has said the resident doctors will not resume unless their benefits have been paid.
Ojebo, while speaking on Sunrise Daily, said resident doctors have been left ‘impoverished’ by the government’s inability to meet its demands.
“We are not on strike for added allowances; we are not on strike for any other thing,” Ojebo said. “We are on strike for our normal due salaries that you have not paid from January to July.
“We are talking about salary shortfalls that you have not paid from 2014 to 2016. We are talking about monies you have not paid for our medical residency training program. These are the issues on the table, and these issues have not been resolved.”
He noted that signing MoUs was an academic exercise that does nothing to address the doctors’ demands.
“Payment of our benefits are the only actionable plans that can actually make us sign any memorandum of agreement of terms,” he said.
“Other than these, I don’t think we are being fair.”
August 23, 2021
NMA threatens to join Resident Doctors’ Strike
The Nigeria Medical Association NMA has chided both Federal and State Governments for the lingering strike action of the National Association of Resident Doctors which had paralyzed hospitals across the country to the detriment of the Nigerian people.
It warned that it would join forces if resident doctors were not paid all their due wages and the strike lingers.
NMA in a statement issued on Friday, signed by its Chairman on Inter Affiliate Affairs, Dr Rosemary Uzowulu, titled, “High cost of governance maintained yet payment of doctors to avert health sector destruction a failure from government”, described the ongoing strike as uncalled for if those in corridors of power were sincere.
The body of doctors accused the political leaders of playing a game with the health of Nigerians because they could afford overseas medical treatment.
The statement partly read: “it is most unfortunate that budget allocation for newspapers for assembly members, state governors, the presidency is approved and implemented within days of signing by Mr President, and yet the residency training allocation budgeted and endorsed cannot be implemented.
“The country in face of the high cost of governance has decided to use the health of her subject to play chess game where king and queens display the power of crown by killing their guards.
“I call on well-meaning Nigerians across the country to quickly put a stop to the strike by mandating those concerned including the state governors for state hospitals to pay the resident doctors all their due wages or stand the chance of black cloud collapse from NMA if the battle lingers.”
August 13, 2021
60 Dead As Cholera Outbreak Hits Katsina Communities
At least sixty persons lost have their lives across many communities in Katsina State following the outbreak of cholera in the state.
The state Commissioner for Health, Yakubu Danja disclosed this on Saturday during the 2021 Annual General Meeting of the State chapter of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) held in the state capital.
He, however, did not indicate when the deaths were recorded.
Danja who revealed that health education regarding the prevention and management of the disease as well as active case search and surveillance were ongoing across the 34 LGAs of the state, explained that assorted drugs had already been purchased by the State Government for distribution to hospitals across the state for the treatment of the disease.
“We are aware of the current outbreak of diarrhea and vomiting that is affecting some communities in the state. The state government is making efforts towards control of the outbreak,” the commissioner said.
“Free drugs for the treatment of this outbreak are been purchased for distribution to hospitals for treatment of the cases.
“Health education on prevention and management of the disease is ongoing. Active case search and surveillance is also ongoing across the state.
“Presently, we have over 1,400 confirmed cases of cholera with over 60 recorded dead. Let me seize this opportunity to draw the attention of the general public to the fact that diarrhea and vomiting is a preventable disease.”
The Health Commissioner further admonished residents in the state to ensure proper environmental sanitation, frequent hand washing, proper food hygiene, washing of all fruits and vegetables before eating as well as proper cooking of food items.
Danja tasked food vendors to ensure that they cover their food items to avoid contact with flies.
August 8, 2021
NMA condoles with Buhari over death of Lt General Attahiru
By Joyce Remi- Babayeju
Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, has joined other well meaning Nigeria to condole with President Muhammadu Buhari over the death of Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru who died alongside other officers in a fatal plane crash close to the Kaduna Airport yesterday Friday evening.

President of the NMA Professor Innocent Ujah in a condolence message said, ” The NMA joins other Nigerians in sharing the pains and grief of the Presidency and other well meaning Nigerians and prays that their souls find peace in God’s Kingdom while praying for the families the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.”
The message read, “Association is particularly pained, bearing in mind that the nation has lost a rare breed and one of her most decorated intelligent tactical officer with enormous wealth of experience in tackling the current insurgency and banditry at this time that his services are most needed.”
Please accept our sincere and heartfelt condolences.
May 22, 2021
NMA National Officers Visit Plateau Governor
National Officers of the Nigerian Medical Association who are in Jos for their 61st Annual Scientific Conference and Delegates Meeting have visited Governor Simon Bako Lalong to interact with the Governor ahead of their conference.
President of the NMA Prof. Innocent Ujah said they were at the Government House to appreciate the Governor for approving the hosting of the weeklong event which has over one thousand doctors in attendance.
Ujah said the NMA is hosting the event in Plateau because of the substantial peace that has returned to State due to the efforts of the Lalong administration. According to him, there is confidence in the State as many members had no reservations or fears coming to Plateau State.
He however raised concerns over the general insecurity in many parts of the nation that is very worrisome to medical doctors and other health workers that are not only affected, but find it difficult and unsafe to offer their services to those in need.
He appealed to the Governor to use his office as the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum to work with his colleagues, Federal Government and the security agencies in tackling insecurity in the country which is giving everyone concerns.
Governor Lalong thanked the NMA for the visit and said their second visit within four months shows the confidence they have in the State. He assured them that his administration is determined to sustain the peace in the State which is the number one priority of the government.
Lalong also reiterated his invitation to medical doctors to establish health facilities in Plateau State and encourage medical tourism because of the natural endowments of the State and hospitable environment.
He also assured the visitors that he will participate in the conference and the golf kitty that has been planned.
April 27, 2021
NMA slams Ngige for saying US, UK don’t pay resident doctors
The Nigerian Medical Association has lambasted the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, for saying developed nations like the United States and the United Kingdom don’t pay resident doctors.
Ngige, who is also a medical doctor, had berated the National Association of Resident Doctors for embarking on a nationwide strike, claiming that developed countries don’t pay resident doctors.
He had also stated on Channels Television that resident doctors in foreign countries actually pay the hospitals where they work while in Nigeria the reverse is the case.
Reacting in a statement by its National President, Prof. Innocent Ujah; and its Secretary-General, Dr Phillips Ekpe, the NMA knocked Ngige for his approach towards ending the strike.
The statement read in part, “The attention of the NMA has been drawn to a recent live interview granted on Channels TV on Friday, April 2, 2021, by the Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige.
“In the interview, the minister alleged that in the USA and other developed countries, resident doctors pay for their residency training abroad, whereas, in Nigeria, the government pays them.
“In as much as we appreciate the efforts being made by the government to resolve the issues that have led to this avoidable and unnecessary industrial action by NARD, the NMA wishes to clarify the misinformation by the minister in the interview, which is seriously viewed to be a hate speech capable of bringing down the health system in Nigeria and thereby worsening the health care delivery and further escalate the rather unimaginable current brain drain.”
The NMA said in the US and other developed countries, resident doctors work as they are being trained and they are paid by their employers.
“In the United Kingdom, the employer of resident doctors is the NHS, which is similar to what is obtainable in Nigeria,” it added.
The NMA stated that residents also pay to take their postgraduate medical examinations in developed countries, which is what also obtains in Nigeria.
“The NMA is totally in disagreement with the way and manner some government functionaries carry out their duties which is completely insensitive to the plight of the people.
“Accountability is the fulcrum for good governance in all facets and we do not demand anything less from those charged with the responsibility of governing the people,” it added.
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The association said that in order to resolve the lingering crisis in the health sector, the government must prioritise and improve the healthcare delivery to Nigerians and at the same time improve the welfare of medical practitioners and other health workers.
It argued that this is the most sustainable means of delivering quality health care to the people who in the first place elected them.
“Perhaps, this will help to reduce the current brain drain being experienced that is dealing a deadly blow to our health care delivery system, which has made our hospitals to be regarded as mere consulting clinics,” the NMA said.
April 3, 2021
NMA hails Medical, Dental Bill
…Condemns JOHESU’s malignancy
…Strike threat
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, have given a nod to the recent Repeal and Re- enacted Bill of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria which seeks to regulate professional Medical practice in the country.
National President of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Professor Innocent Ujah and the Secretary General of the association, Dr. Philips Uche Ekpe in a statement jointly signed said that the re- enacted Bill SB.480 is a welcome development in the health sector to discourage quakery and promote ethical professionalism.
NMA said it wholeheartedly welcome the Bill because it is necessary to bring the regulation of the Medical and Dentistry in Nigeria up to date with the advancements and developments in healthcare nationally and internationally.
According to the statement, on Monday 1st February 2021 the Senate held a public hearing on the MDCN Bill SB. 4.89 seeks to repeal and re- enact the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act Cap M8 LFN 2004, which was enacted by December 23 of 1988 and announced by Decree 78 of 1992.
Meanwhile the association has accused the Joint Health Workers Union of Nigeria, JOHESU, the umbrella of allied health workers of malignant attitude, lack of knowledge and understanding of the Bill and the threat to strike over purely professional and parliamentary matters.
The Bill also makes it easier for the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Disciplinary Tribunal to try cases of professional misconduct against doctors in a timelier manner. It also provide more realistic sanctions against doctors who are found guilty by the Disciplinary Tribunal as against when such cases linger for years due to the frequent dissolution of the Council and the Disciplinary Tribunal.
And when the Tribunal finds a doctor guilty of professional misconduct, the extant law does not permit it to suspend such a doctor for more than six months. while the next most severe sanction is erasure from the Medical Register.
The Passage of the Bill and assent will settle the unnecessary confusion, inter-professional acrimony and friction in the health sector, NMA stated.
The association condemned JOHESU’s outburst and apprehension over the provisions of the Bill, saying that it is out of ignorance and understanding.
“We believe that these feelings are misguided and emanate from a misunderstanding and ignorance of the purpose of the Bill among these professionals, and mischief by a few of their leaders who exploit the misunderstanding and ignorance among their members.”
“t I is surprising that anyone would claim that the Bill seeks to regulate any other healthcare professions.”
NMA said, “We invite JOHESU members to join forces with the Medical and Dental Practitioners to improve the health circumstances of our people rather than threatening to go on strike for the wrong reasons at any slightest flimsy excuses.”
February 8, 2021
COVID-19: FG Has No Idea Which Schools Are Ready To Re-Open – NMA President
The federal government has no statistics to measure which schools are prepared for re-opening amid the coronavirus pandemic, President of the Nigeria Medical Association, Professor Innocent Ujah, said on Monday.
Prof Ujah made the comment while speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
Based on the federal government’s directive, schools resumed in several states nationwide on Monday.
But critics say the government hasn’t done enough to ensure schools are equipped to observe COVID-19 regulations such as social distancing and wearing of face masks.
“If we know that children should go to school, what facilities have we put in place? Our problem is that we do a lot of talking and do very little,” Prof Ujah said. “It is also true that we do not listen to experts.
“What we have been saying is that the coronavirus is totally unprepared for and one year after, what lessons have we learn?
“We know that students should go to school, we know that they should maintain NCDC protocol. But what have we done in schools? Nigeria is a very interesting country, a country full of contradictions.
“The truth is we have no statistics as far as I know, of the number of schools that are ready, whether public or private, and what they should put in place. I feel that we are very sentimental as a nation.
“While we are saying that schools should be reopened, we should be prepared. Who are those monitoring? Who are those supervising the process? Because we can talk and we don’t supervise.”
January 18, 2021
NMA calls for accuracy in improving Covid-19 tests
The Nigerian Medical Association has called on the Federal Government to provide comprehensive life insurance in place for doctors and other health personnel that risk their lives in the line of duty.
This is as NMA also said the accuracy of the testing for the Coronavirus should be improved upon.
The organisation also demanded adequate protection for its members as the COVID-19 infection gets more frightening.
The NMA also said doctors and other health workers are being paid abysmally low hazard allowance, adding that there are not enough Personal Protective Equipment available to doctors and other health workers in the frontline.
The Chairman of NMA in FCT, Dr. Enema Amodu, said this in a statement issued on Sunday morning in Abuja.
He said, “Over the last few days, I have received several calls and messages on the 20 doctors that died across the country from the deadly Coronavirus within a week. The focus seemed to have shifted away from the facts of the matter to the sensationalism now attached to it.
“The fact remains that doctors and other health workers are being paid abysmally low hazard allowance.
“There are not enough PPE’s available to doctors and other health workers in the frontline.
“The turnaround time and accuracy of the testing for the Coronavirus should be improved upon.
“There should be comprehensive life insurance in place for doctors and other health personnel that risk their lives in the line of duty.
“Isolation centres should be properly equipped with drugs and personnel to manage cases as they come.
“This is a clarion call by the Nigerian doctors on behalf of her members and other colleagues in the frontline to protect us while we discharge our duties.
“The NMA wishes to appreciate the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari who has reacted to our cry and has promised to improve on the welfare packages of doctors; and also the Honorable Minister of FCT, Mallam Mohammed Musa Bello who ensured the prompt payment of hazard allowance to FCT doctors.
“Once again, we mourn with our colleague’s family that have died. While we pray for their gallant souls to rest in peace, we also pray for those of us alive to remain so in good health.”
December 29, 2020