INTERVENTION OF THE SPEAKER HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Rt. HON YAKUBU  DOGARA IN THE CURRENT INDUSTRIAL DISPUTE BETWEEN NARD (AN AFFILIATE OF NMA) AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA AND OTHER RELATED ISSUES:  

 

On behalf of the National Officers Committee, the President of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Dr. Mike 0. Ogirima wish to express his appreciation and sincere gratitude to His Excellency, The Rt Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara for the timely intervention on the current National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) strike action. The Speaker has demonstrated that the health of Nigerian citizens especially the down trodden masses that stood firmly to ensure the emergence of the 'change agenda is of paramount importance. Through his intervention NMA saw a light at the end of the tunnel. It is our belief that the resolutions reached at the end of the frank and open dialogue that held at the instance of Mr Speaker on Tuesday 21st of June, 2016 if executed according to the agreed time lines will address not only the NARD demands but that of the entire Nigerian Doctors. 

 

Through the intervention, the following agreements were reached after thorough discussions with all relevant stakeholders: 

 

(1). On States doctors unpaid salaries and arrears: It was agreed that it falls within the purview of State chief executives. However, Mr. Speaker will interface with the Presidency to source for possible bail out funds and to also solicit for State chief Executives' understanding for possible universal applicability of adjusted CONMESS. 

 

(2). On skipping: It was agreed that all hospitals must implement skipping for doctors. by the end of June. The Forty two (42) institutions that have not been implementing skipping flouting already existing directive by FMOH are to commence implementation immediately. NARD to submit the list of non complying CMDs/MDs to the House of Representatives Committee on Tertiary Health Institutions. Committee of CMDs/MDs to meet within one week for that purpose. Any CMD/MD that is unable to pay should appear at the next meeting on 14th, July, 2016 with his financial records to justify the reason(s) for non payment of skipping to doctors. 

 

(3) Residency Training: That, by First week of July, 2016, the blue print on the guidelines for Residency Training Programme will be made available. 

 

(4). Entry point for House Officers should be CONMESS 1/1which is equivalent to the basic salary of CONHESS 9/4. This should be implemented with immediate effect by the Chief Medical Directors. 

 

(5). All NARD members should be enrolled into the contributory pension scheme in line with Pension Act with immediate effect. 

 

(6). On those Residents unfairly sacked, while NARD will assist to make records available to the ministry of Health. Minister of Health should issue a circular to CMDs to re-instate any resident doctor whose sack was not in conformity with the earlier circular detailing the template for employment and disengagement. The new Circular is to be sent on Wednesday, 22nd June, 2016, by the Minister to all health institutions running the Residency programme. 

 

(7). Minister of Health to have a second look at the issue of December salary of Doctors at FMC Owerri since it is established that doctors in that hospital did not declare strike action ab initio and were not on strike during the month in question. 

 

(8). All doctors to be enrolled into the IPPIS platform With immediate effect. Mr Speaker is to meet with Minister of Finance on the issue of IPPIS for all doctors. 

 

(9). Minister of Health agreed to do everything possible to implement all the decisions arrived at in this meeting. 

 

(10). On the issue of sacking resident doctors, Mr. Speaker stated that in democracy you cannot do away with conflicts, but what is most important is the may the conflict is resolved. He therefore enjoined NARD to over look the circular and focus on consolidating on the achievements made during the meeting. 

 

(11). Leadership of NARD to go back with agreements and resolutions reached to their members for consideration and for possible suspension of their nationwide strike action. 

 

(12 ). A review meeting to hold on 14th, July 2016, to assess progress made on the implementation of agreements reached at the meeting. 

 

(13). The NMA president is also worried about the ugly development in the University of Abuja, regarding her members who were being investigated by ICPC on a petition that emanated from Allied health workers that Doctors were illegally receiving dual salaries form the Federal Government. The president has requested MDCAN at Chapter and National levels to make an appropriate response while NMA will finally follow with an unequivocal statement. 

 

(14). Finally, the NMA under President Mike 0. Ogirima condemns in strong terms an attempt to replace resident Doctors who had withdrawn theft services in the pursuit of their legitimate demands. NMA equally wants to categorically put on record that it will henceforth not tolerate arbitrary sack of her members in whatever guise at the slightest provocation by any authority. 

 

NMA wishes to appreciate all our members for their concern and love shown during the trying moments. The President also calls on all to have confidence on Mn. Speaker's intervention especially on the circular sacking the resident doctors. As a leader, he shared in the feeling of all Nigerian Doctors resulting from this act. 

 

Thank you. 

 

Signed

D. Mike O. Ogirima 

Professor of Orthopaedic surgery and trauma NMA President 

 

Dr. Yusuf Tank Sununu 

Secretary General