The Rivers State council of the national association of nigeria nurses and midwives joins the national body of the association and the joint health sector unions (JOHESU) to condemn the in-ordinate nation wide strike action being embarked upon by the nigeria medical association (NMA) and the national associationof resident doctors (NARD)

 

The national association of nigeria nurses and midwives (NANNM) is not antagonistic to any genuine and honest demands for better condition of service by any legitimate or legally recognized labour union operating under the dictates of our labour laws but we will not under any circumstance(s) support or encourage such actions as are currently being carried ouot by the nigeria medical association (NMA) and its appendages.

 

We are compelled to informt he public that the following demands by the NMA and its appendages lead to their strike action indicates

- Appointment of directors in other professional fields in the health sector

- Abolition of the position of deputy chairman medical advisory committee (CMAC)

- Approval of appointment of consultancy position ofr other health professionals

- Commencement of newly qualified medical doctors on grade level 14 (CONMESS 3)

- Hazard allowance must be N100,000 per month for medical doctors only

- That position of chief medical director is their birth right etc.

 

These demands are not only bogus in its entirety, unachievable, unprofessional, barbaric, discriminatory, unconstitutional, unpatriotic, egoistic, selfish and destructive construct blackmail against the federal government of nigeria and also political weapon to relegate other health professionals to the background

 

It is rather absurd for the medical doctors in nigeria to attempt in this manner to redefine the professional organogram in the management of our hospitals and health facilities and not considering the specialties of other health professionals thereby swaying the schemes of service, rules and ethics guiding the leader ship or headship structure of engagement of existing professionals in the hospitals and health facilities.

 

It is pertinent ot inform the public on the deliberate action of NMA to unilaterally and cleverly stop casual workers in Braithwaite memorial specialist hospital from carrying out thier duties, masterminding of power outage in BMSH and UPTH not minding the presence of other health professionals who have religiously being carrying their legitimate duties during the strike period.

 

As concerned professional stakeholders, we absolutely condemn the doctors action once again expressing fears of monumental consequences the actions could produce against the hospital management and the entire health care delivery program of the government. We belive the strike is senseless especially at such a time the nation is experiencing a harrowing moment of insecurity.

 

NANNM Rivers state council therefore directs all its members to continue to provide and maintain their normal professional care services to patients in their various hospitals and health care facilities.

 

Signed 

Comr. Regina Kuru State chiarman, NANNM, R/S Council

Comr. Inema Tariah State PRO/A. Secretary, NANNM R/S Council