A circular was issued to NMA members all over the country dated 24th December 2013 jointly signed by the NMA President and Secretary in person of Dr. Osahon Enabulele and Dr. Akpufuoma Pemu respectively intimating their members and the general public on the imminent strike action starting on the 6th January 2014.

 

If they like, they should proceed on the so-called selfish strike or not but I wish to correct two statements in the letter and I want the leadership of NMA or any of his members to challenge my submission.

 

1. That Medical Doctors are the custodian of healthcare in Nigeria.

This is a big fallacy, where was it stated that Nigerian doctors are the custodian of healthcare in Nigeria? Which section of the constitution? Which document was this statement gazetted into? If they are the custodian, why can't they fund the health sector with their salary and make it better? Instead, they are siphoning the government all in the name of Residency programs. For the general public info, the Federal Ministry of Health is the custodian of Healthcare in Nigeria as delegated by the Nigerian government. Medical doctors are just part of the health team that makes healthcare delivery properly delivered to the masses. Medical Doctors are even not the head of Medical team, they are just part of the team. Maybe their claims can be credited to the former to the former Minister of Health in person of Olikoye Ransome-Kuti who selfishly made them the head but I can categorically say it that they are not the head and they can never be the HEAD.

 

2. That a Medical Consultant should earn more than a Director.

Why should someone who did a 4 years residency program, become a consultant and got employed earn more than a Director who have spent 25 years and above in the career. This is just wickedness of the highest order. While the Medical Doctors have their own fellowship programs which qualifies them to be a consultant, other medical professionals also have their fellowship programs like the FMLSCN for Medical Laboratory Science, FPCPharm for Pharmacy and FWACN for the Nursing profession but the Nigerian government refuse to ascribe consultancy positions to the holders of these titles.

 

Is the Nigerian government fair to other medical and health professionals? Still, the Nigerian Medical Doctors are the one who complain the most. What else do they want?

 

Lastly, I wish to state that the strike is not for the betterment of the Nigeria Healthcare sector but for them to increase their ego, increase their take-home pay, to demoralize other health professions and to personalize the healthcare sector to be there own. Very soon, there will be Federal Ministry of Physicians if care is not taken where budget will be solely allocated for the them to actualize their dream of becoming the custodian of the healthcare in Nigeria.

 

... These little things matter ...

 

By Mustapha Jelil (B.MLS, AMLSCN, ASM)

Medical Laboratory Scientist and a Medical and Socio-political critic