The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has kicked against the extension of the ongoing strike action embarked upon by the Joint Health Sectors Union (JOHESU) to states and local government areas.
The president, NMA, Dr. Francis Faduyile, who disclosed this at a press conference in Lagos, urged the federal government to ignore the strike action by JOHESU, adding that it is not only an aberration that will add no value to clinical/patients’ care, it will certainly worsen morbidity and mortality indices in Nigeria.
Faduyile said, “We oppose vehemently, any adjustment in CONHESS salary scale with resultant pay parity between doctors and healthcare professionals allied to medicine, and hereby reaffirm that relativity is sacrosanct.”
Faduyile said the demand for professional autonomy is part of the fight for professional ego by JOHESU, adding that government is reminded of global best practices in terms of the leadership of the clinical/medical team in which the physician is the head.
“Rather than accede to a demand that will lead to more preventable deaths, we urge the Federal Government to implement the recommendations of the Yayale Ahmed Committee on professional harmony in the health sector.
“The demand for the appointment of other health workers as Consultant (with payment of specialist allowance) is a self-centered agitation aimed at ensuring they are in charge of clinical care. The demand for Headship of Departments/units in the hospital by members of JOHESU will lead to unprecedented chaos in the health sector with ripple effect on the health of Nigerians. We reaffirm our rejection of this demand.
“The NMA reiterates her position on the appointment of CMDs/MDs of tertiary hospitals which is in accordance with the extant law and with emphasis on ‘medically qualified’ as interpreted by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria. Various Circulars of government also refers!
“We reject in its entirety the demand for the abolition of the position of Deputy Chairman Medical Advisory Committee (DCMAC) which is a creation of management boards in accordance with section 7(4) of University Teaching Hospital act.
“The NMA is not against career progression of allied health professionals but will not accept any decision that allows for multiple appointments of directors in a department without such being applicable to medical doctors.
“The NMA however supports fully the demands of JOHESU on Skipping of CONHESS 10 and payment of arrears in compliance with National Industrial Court of Nigeria Judgment, and increased Retirement age,” he added.
Faduyile however directed all medical and dental doctors in Nigeria to put mechanism in place for the sustenance of services to Nigerians.
