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Tag: Striking Doctors

  • Go Back To Work While We Continue Negotiations, Ngige Urges Striking Doctors

    Go Back To Work While We Continue Negotiations, Ngige Urges Striking Doctors

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige has appealed to the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to shelve their industrial action as the Federal Government continues to negotiate with the union to end the dispute.

    Ngige made the appeal during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, as the resident doctors strike enters Day 59.

    “I want to appeal to NARD for them to reconsider their position, get back to work tomorrow or next and then come back again for discussions. We have so many things to discuss,” Ngige said.

    “I have nephews who are resident doctors. I have three of them at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, UNTH Enugu, Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu. I have so many of them. I have a son who will graduate in Medicine in October. I cannot destroy the profession, I have to protect the profession too.”

    The Minister also reacted to the court case filed by the Federal Government against the striking doctors.

    According to Ngige, it is the Federal Ministry of Health and the office of the Attorney General of the Federation that can withdraw the case from court.

    “The court has ruled and said ‘Go and do some more settlement but meanwhile, you go back to work and continue the settlement’,” he added.

    Despite the National Industrial Court’s ruling ordering the striking doctors to return to work, the Minister asked the plaintiffs – Health Ministry and Attorney General’s office as well as the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and NARD to approach the Labour Ministry to press their demands.

    While noting that he had advised his colleague in the Health Ministry, Dr Osagie Ehanire “to see what he can do so that the discussion will set off,” Ngige said he had always advocated for settlement.

    Ngige’s comments come two days after the National Industrial Court ordered resident doctors to suspend their strike action and go back to work, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    Justice Bashar Alkali gave the order on Friday while ruling on an application by the Federal Government.

    But the striking doctors have faulted the court’s ruling, vowing to appeal the order.

    “As we are all aware, especially those that were present in court today (Friday), the NIC has given a ruling on the application for interlocutory injunction filed by the Federal Government,” the association said via a statement. “We are not satisfied with the ruling.

    “After consultations with our lawyers, we have instructed our lawyers to appeal the ruling and file an application for stay of execution.”

  • Buhari Appeal to Striking Doctors to Resume Work

    Buhari Appeal to Striking Doctors to Resume Work

    President Muhammadu Buhari has called on the health workers to return to their duty posts, urging others contemplating strikes, to opt for settlement of issues by negotiation, no matter how long it takes.

    The President made the call when he received members of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), at the Presidential Villa Abuja.

    He said that the lives of the citizens that will be lost or damaged when doctors withdraw services, are precious enough and worth opting for peaceful resolution of differences.

    President Buhari assured that, all outstanding benefits owed medical doctors will be cleared, after verifications, noting that embarking on industrial action at a critical health period for the country and citizens, was not a good option.

    President Buhari said the outstanding issue of an Establishment circular issued by the Head of Service, removing House officers, NYSC Doctors from the scheme of service, had an addendum circular from the National Salaries and Wages Commission, to clarify that they will continue to earn the wages attached to them on their present wage structure.

    To further improve the health sector, the President said that budgetary allocations had been increased and a Health Sector Reform Committee, under the Chairmanship of the Vice President, had been commissioned to identify and address weaknesses in the Health System and align with global best practices that will enhance public confidence.

    The President noted that Nigeria’s source of revenue over the years has dwindled, with a rising population.

    The President commended the positive role the Nigeria Medical Association has been playing, as the apex professional medical association in Nigeria, especially with regard to the ongoing industrial action.

    President Buhari added that the course of Covid-19 in Nigeria was not yet entirely clear, and response to it must be collective.

    In his remarks, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said that the NMA had been playing a critical role in the development of the health sector, particularly in tackling pandemics, participating in policy formulation and population health.

    In his response the President of the NMA, Prof. Innocent A. Ujah, thanked President Buhari, for the appointment of members into strategic positions in government, assent to the Medical Residency Act and the immunisation coverage.

    Ujah said the association was concerned with the industrial action embarked upon by doctors, and had been doing its best to alleviate the suffering of patients across the country, while appealing for an urgent resolution.

    The NMA president thanked President Buhari, for takeoff grant for the first Federal University of Health Sciences in Otukpo, Benue State, Azare, Bauchi State and Ila Orangun, Osun State and suggested an appropriate funding module for the new institutions.

    The NMA leader assured the President of the continuous support of members of the association, to improve health in the country.