Stop blaming doctors for instability in health sector – NMA boss

Forum 7 years ago

Stop blaming doctors for instability in health sector – NMA boss

The new Chairman of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ekiti State chapter, Dr Sunday Omoya, has told Nigerians to hold the government? responsible for the incessant strike being experienced in recent time in the health sector.

Describing the scenario as worrisome and capable of causing total collapse of the system, Omoya, who assumed office in August, 2016, said governments’ inabilities to implement agreements reached with medical personnel, had been responsible for the unwholesome action of his colleagues.


Those elected into various positions in Ekiti NMA include: Dr. Omoya (Chairman), Dr. Ifedayo Oreyemi(Vice Chairman 1), Dr Kayode Ariyibi(VC 2), Dr Kenneth Onyebuilo(Secretary), Dr Tope Olatilu(Assistant Secretary), Dr Abiodun Adeniji(Treasurer), Dr Taiwo Akinsoto(Financial Secretary), Dr Hameed Oguntade(Social Secretary),
Dr Akinbote(Ex-Officio 1).

Omoya, who expressed regret over persistent strikes in the health sector, especially the one currently embarked on by consultants in the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti, added that some of the challenges in the sector could have been settled internally, but for governments’ insincerity.

The NMA boss said: “Doctors have no interest in strike because we know the importance of the sector, but some of the agreements reached at the negotiation table, but governments have not been implementing virtually all the agreements.

“We have always been looking for ways to settle our differences internally, because of the essential services we render to the people. As we speak now, consultants in FETHI are on strike and this is due to the facts that many of their entitlements were not paid despite the management’s agreement to pay.


“So, implementation of agreements had always been the reason for the industrial actions and not that the doctors are wicked on showing indifference to the well-being of Nigerians”.

Omoya pleaded with the Ministry of Health at the State and national levels to come up with policies that would enhance stability in the sector.

The NMA boss pleaded with the state government to pay all entitlements of his colleagues, to prevent any industrial action that could further cripple the system.

“We appeal to Governor Ayodele Fayose to pay the entitlements of our members. No worker will have the motivation to work when he is not being paid. We are pleading that prompt payment of salary will go a
long way in preventing crisis in the sector and make Nigerians enjoy the best services expected from us”, he said.