The NMA also asked the State Government to ``withdraw the queries issued and open themselves up for sincere and genuine dialogue with the doctors. ’’
Dr Osahon Enabulele, NMA National President, who made the call at a news conference in Lagos, blamed the State Government for the ongoing crisis in the health sector.
``Nobody forced them to enter into an agreement reached with the doctors on March 24, 2011 to implement Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) in full.
``They should honestly take responsibility for all that has happened because what has generated the crisis is their inability to keep faithfully to the agreement," Enabulele said.
Enabulele also criticised the eviction of the sacked doctors from government quarters.
``The eviction is totally rejected by the NMA; it is not in order and it even violates the Tenancy Law of Lagos State.
``It traumatises the sacredness of human dignity and so it is totally rejected and unacceptable and the NMA believes that there are better ways of addressing the needs, expectations and welfare of the workforce.’’
Enabulele added that the meeting between the NMA and the State Government on May 10 over the state's health crisis unfortunately was deadlocked.
``Sadly after four hours of engagement with the Lagos State Head of Service, the Commissioner for Health, Permanent Secretaries and other Lagos State Government officials, the dialogue ended in a deadlock. ’’
He blamed the deadlock on the State Government's ``fixated and vexatious position’’ to discipline its doctors, adding that the state Head of Service, Adesegun Ogunlewe, insisted that the matter was beyond him.
The NMA, however, directed its Lagos State chapter to explore other options it deemed fit, including strike, to resolve the impasse, following the break down in negotiation with the government.
He said that the body would soon convene an emergency delegates meeting to review the health crisis in Lagos State and take a national position on the matter.
Things should never have been allowed to go this far downhill. Fed Min of Health should intervene and work out a solution before NMA joins in a national solidarity strike and many more lives are lost.
ReplyDeleteIf LASG feels it cannot afford to abide by the agreement, it should seek a renegotiation rather than play the govt game.
These Doctors, their own too much. Upon the money pumped to them, most of them are mostly found wanted in their responsibilities, why?
ReplyDeleteI am surprised that a senior advocate of Nigeria(SAN) could be this lawless .
ReplyDelete