July 18, 2014
PRESS STATEMENT
A CALL FOR SPEEDY RESOLUTION OF INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES IN THE NIGERIAN
HEALTH SECTOR
The recurrent resort to industrial action by various professional unions
in the public health sector is a serious cause of concern to us, as it is to
other well-meaning Nigerians.
For the umpteenth time, the ailing public health system in the country
has again been paralyzed due to the ongoing nationwide strike action embarked
upon by the doctors under the aegis of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA). It
was reported that the doctors downed tools following an alleged inability of
government to accede to various demands contained in their 24-request protest
letter.
Media reports suggest that health facilities across the 36 states and the
Federal Capital Territory are deserted with only skeletal services being
rendered by few consultants and other health workers. The effects of the
ongoing nationwide strike action by the doctors, commenced 1st July
2014, are monumental and devastating. Many sick children and pregnant women who
require urgent attention by the doctors are being denied. All over the country,
thousands of surgical cases that require surgical operation have been put on
hold with dire consequences. This ugly situation, we believe, must have led to
loss of numerous innocent and precious lives.
In the interest of teeming Nigerian masses, HAPPYNigeria calls for speedy
resolution of the on-going industrial dispute in the health sector. Relevant
government agencies should intervene with a view to finding lasting solution to
the impasse. NMA should sheathe their sword in the overall interest of their
patients and the downtrodden. Going forward, we implore government at all
levels to be proactive in addressing industrial disharmony in heath and allied
sectors in order to avert these incessant strike actions being embarked upon by
doctors and other health workers and its attendant loss of human lives and
economic misfortune.
Finally, in order to ensure lasting peace and
restore normalcy to the Nigerian health sector, HAPPYNigeria calls on government to, as a matter of national top
priority, convoke a National Health Stakeholders’ Summit (or any other name government may choose to call it) to discuss and
come up with workable solutions to the lingering inter-professional conflicts
and poor funding facing the country’s health system. This will go a long way to restore dignity
and confidence of Nigerians in our health system.
DR. FEMI AKINWUMI
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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