The Federal Government should reconsider its intentions to implement “No work, no pay” for medical personnel, according to the FCT Chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA-FCT), which also warned that the move will further devastate the industry.
The organisation issued the invitation to usher in the 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference of the NMA-FCT during a news conference on Sunday in Abuja in partnership with the Nasarawa and Kogi states chapters.
The National Association of Residents Doctors (NARD) strike is still going on, hence the Federal Government’s suggestion was rejected by Dr. Charles Ugwuanyi, Chairman of NMA-FCT.
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Ugwuanyi claims that if the government moves forward with the proposal, it will exacerbate the perceived healthcare issue of a shortage of physicians, as most of them have already left the nation.
He claimed that NARD was merely fighting for its legal rights and that its actions were intended to keep the doctors in the nation who were eager to continue serving their patients.
He emphasised that the government must find a means to encourage doctors to remain in the country because there are now fewer than 25, 000 registered practising doctors in Nigeria.
Additionally, the NMA-FCT Chairman urged all levels of government to prioritise worker safety.
The association expressed its condolences to the Lagos State Government on the death of Dr. Vwaere Diaso, a young female doctor, who passed away in a lift due to a technical malfunction.
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“The reason why most of us are dressed in black is not far fetched, we are in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the NMA Lagos State Branch.
“As you are aware in the last one week, the media space is filled the news of a sad development, a young doctor, a house officer on duty, was trapped in a lift and she collapsed and died.
“We are all in mourning, while we pray for the repose of her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, we want to send a message out there.
“We at the NMA we are indeed not happy with the poor working conditions, which on this occasion has resulted in the death of this young star with a very bright future.
“We are calling on the relevant authorities, government at different levels managing the different hospitals, to take safety in the working environment seriously.
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“We enjoin all our members across the country, to take this message to the different levels of government,” he stressed.
The planned no work, no pay policy was also criticised by Dr. Peter Attah, Chairman of the Committee of State Chairmen of the NMA, who claimed that it would not be successful and would instead cause the delivery of healthcare services to fall apart.
In the interest of the healthcare industry, Attah, who also serves as the Chairman of the NMA’s branch in Nasarawa State, urged for communication between the association and the government.
“We are disappointed by the approach and the direction the FG is actually taking on the matter, NARD’s demands are germane, we urge the government to reconsider its decision and and dialogue.
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“The 36 states Chairmen and FCT are fully giving our backing and support to the NARD struggle, and we will continue to remain with them because they are our members, and we will not allow any of our members to be victimised,” he said.
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