The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), has thrown its weight behind the ongoing nationwide strike, embarked on by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
In a statement jointly signed by its President, Professor Innocent Ujah, and Secretary-General, Dr Philips Ekpe, the NMA said the Federal Government should resolve all pending issues with NARD within 21 days in the interest of all concerned.
The NMA released the statement on Sunday after the executive arm of the association held a National Executive Council (NEC), meeting between August 22 and August 28 in Benin.
The association said that it would not allow any doctor to be victimised for participating in the strike instituted by NARD.
The statement reads: “The various industrial disputes involving the different affiliates of the association was exhaustively reviewed.
“After due consideration, NEC put the Federal Government on a 21-days notice to fully resolve all the issues contained in the various agreements signed with the affiliate members of the NMA including NARD, MDCAN, and MEDSABAMS.
“The Nigerian Medical Association fully supports all her affiliates in their efforts to improve healthcare delivery in Nigeria and the welfare of her members.
The Nigerian Medical Association fully supports all her affiliates in their efforts to improve healthcare delivery in Nigeria and the welfare of her members.
“NEC affirms that no doctor shall be victimised for participating, or not participating in the strike by NARD.
“If the FG fails to implement the agreements after the expiration of the 21-days notice, NMA shall summon an Emergency Delegate Meeting to review the progress made on the implementation of the agreements,” it stated.
NARD commenced a nationwide strike on August 1, after the three months it gave the federal government to implement the terms of the MoU it signed with the association in April elapsed.
Since the commencement of the strike, the National Assembly (NASS), has made several attempts to intervene in the matter by holding meetings with the NARD leadership, but these meetings had produced no concrete result.