NMA orders striking doctors back to work to fight coronavirus

By JUDD-LEONARD OKAFOR

All medical associations that have declared industrial action against their management are to suspend their strike and report to their duty stations to help stem the spread of coronavirus, the Nigerian Medical Association has directed.

It comes after resident doctors in Abuja, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna and NMA in Cross River declared strike to push demands.

NMA says it will “take over the dispute and interact with the different organs/agencies of government.”

“In this regards ARDs of FCTA, Gombe, ESUT-Parklane and Kaduna as well as NMA Cross Rivers are directed to report back to work and treat Nigerians.

“This gesture is geared to treat fellow Nigerians notwithstanding the inhuman treatment meted on our members nationwide.”

But NMA says it will not hesitate to take actions against government organs/agencies that “fail to reciprocate this gesture by honouring agreements with their workers after containing this COVID-19 scourge.”

The association also wants governments to provide the personal protective equipment that health workers need to protect themselves while managing patients.

“We request that isolation wards are upgraded all over the states of the Federation and FCT for proper treatment of those infected with COVID 19,” it added.

The NMA is each state is to set up a five-member committee to monitor the “level of preparedness and management of our hospitals,” NMA president Francis Faduyile told a press conference on Friday in Abuja. (Daily Trust)