OWERRI—The Imo State branch of Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, has threatened to commence a three-day warning strike next Monday, if Governor Rochas Okorocha failed to approve all their demands.

The demands, they claimed, would enhance qualitative healthcare services to the people of Imo State.

NMA Chairman, Dr. Emeka Obioha, who disclosed this while addressing newsmen yesterday in Owerri, also explained that the action was a fall out of the meeting of the association held last month.

“Members took the inevitable decision to stand up and defend their colleagues in both the state and federal government services,” Obioha said.

Obioha, who also doubles as chairman of the association in the South East, listed 10 months salary arrears owed doctors at the State Specialist Hospital, Umuguma, and posting of doctors to various parts of the state without the necessary allowance to enable them settle down comfortably for business in their areas of new posting.

He expressed disgust over plans by the state government to privatize the State Specialist Hospital.

He also cited the non-resolution of the grievances of the doctors at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, which had compelled them to be on strike for two months now, as some of the issues that must be addressed.

“We are constrained to adopt the option of strike because the federal and Imo State governments have bluntly refused to address our legitimate demands, which is in the best interest of the health sector and we appeal to all, including the clergy, to do something in this direction before it is too late,” Obioha pleaded.

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

Vanguard