WORRIED by the  incessant strike actions embarked upon by medical personnel, and its attendant devastating effects on the poor masses of the country, five unions of Allied Health Workers in Nigeria’s health sector have dragged the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and its national President, Dr. Kayode  Obembe, before the National Industrial Court (NIC) sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

   The plaintiffs are: Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria(MHWUN), National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives(NANNM), Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions(SSATHRIAI), Nigerian Union of Health Professionals (NUAHP) and Non Academic Staff Union of Education and Associated Institutions (NASU).

   They are seeking, among other reliefs: perpetual injunction restraining the NMA members from embarking on any form of industrial action, be it work- to- rule or any form of protest that will prevent them from rendering their professional services to the general public.

   The unions maintained that NMA and its national President were not trade union organizations and urged  the court to declare its members’ last July nationwide strike illegal, unconstitutional, unprofessional and ultra vires.

   Others joined in the industrial suit are Incorporated Trustees of the NMA, Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Registrar, Trade Unions and the Attorney General of the Federation.

   Other reliefs being sought by the plaintiffs include  “a declaration that it is only trade union organizations that can declare trade disputes, down tools embark on strike, work- to- rule and stage protest”. 

   They also prayed the court to declare as illegal, any attempt by the NMA and its national President to forcefully eject and drive out patients waiting for treatment in public hospitals.

   They also want the court to declare that the NMA and its national President have no legal right to disrupt the career progression of their members in public hospitals, Federal Medical Centres and health institutions.

In their supporting affidavit deposed to by the Secretary General of  SSAUTHRIAI,  Moshood Oladimeji Akinade, “Provision of health services in hospitals is a relay race job and failure of one leg of the relay quartet to perform its duties would lead to disastrous end for patients”.

    The presiding judge, Justice Firstina Iyabode Kola-Olaleye has fixed hearing of the preliminary objection till November 18 while directing that all parties in the case be served with necessary processes.