The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has resolved to continue its indefinite strike which began nationwide on July 1.
In a statement made available to Channels Television on Tuesday, the NMA says it is not satisfied with the circulars and resolutions reached between the association and the Federal Government negotiation team on its grievances.
It adds that the association’s emergency delegates meeting which held in Abuja resolved to continue with the strike until the government showed commitment to tackling the challenges of the health sector.
After talks were held on Thursday,the Governor of Delta State Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, told reporters that the strike would soon be called off, as some of the pressing issues were addressed and resolved at the meeting.
Present at the meeting were the Delta State Governor; the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa; Dr Doyin Okupe, the Health Minister, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu; Minister for Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr Anyim Pius Anyim and members of the medical association.
Governor Uduaghan, while admitting that there were indeed challenges in the health sector, urged medical professionals to be weary of strike which does more harm than good, because every life lost during the period of strike cannot be brought back.
The Federal Government has also corroborated the claim by saying that the nationwide doctors’ strike may be called off next Monday, following the Thursday meeting between the leadership of the NMA and representatives of Government.
The Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, disclosed that a Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the end of the 10-hour meeting between the two parties.