Sophia Michaels
The Nasarawa state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) who embarked on a five-day warning strike has suspended the industrial action after giving the state government a two-week ultimatum to meet their demands.
The state NMA chapter had threatened to embark on a strike following the inability of the state government to implement promotions for some of its members for up to nine years and annual increment for over 12 years.
Other reasons include non-implementation of the reviewed hazard allowance circular as approved for doctors in the state and the accrued 19 months arrears as at June 30th, 2023; non-payment of the medical residency training fund for doctors in the state government’s employment; non-implementation of the consequential minimum wage adjustment; high burden of tax; call duty tax exemption as promised by the governor on the January 17th, 2023; and inadequate manpower and overwork/burnout of doctors working in the state.
After holding an emergency congress meeting in Lafia, the state capital, on Monday, July 10, the state NMA chairman, Dr Peter Attah said they resolved to suspend the five-day warning strike to lessen the sufferings of the citizens of the state.
The association has directed its members to resume work immediately in the state to save lives.
Attah said;
“At the expiration of two weeks, if the state government does not meet our demands, we may be left with no option than to embark on an indefinite strike action until all our demands are met.”
