The kogi state chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association
(NMA) has suspended its strike for three months to give room for government to
meet their remaining demands.
The suspension was the outcome of an emergency congress held
at the conference room of the Kogi State Specialist Hospital (KSSH) Lokoja.
A statement signed by its Chairman Dr Godwin Tijani, said
the state government has met about 60-70% of their demands and promised to
address other outstanding issues before September.
He stated that “NMA, as an understanding Association, deemed
it fit to suspend the strike to give government the benefit of doubt”.
Dr Tijani appreciated government for reinstating and paying
salaries of doctors employed in 2015, expressing optimism that the government
will also reinstate other doctors found in the uncleared list.
He said “NMA has also been assured by government that the
relativity and corrected CONMESS will be implemented by September and we are
looking forward to that”.
“NMA is also impressed with the government decision to
implement promotion and stepping for doctors to prevent the stagnation doctors
have suffered for years.
“Congress therefore suspend the strike action for 3months
and to reconvene in September to reappraise the suspended strike and resume if
our demands are not met.”
NMA however appealed to the state government for the
regularization of doctors salaries and implementation of the revised CONMESS,
promotions and annual stepping to avoid future industrial actions in the health
sector.
By Daily Post Staff
