The president, Muhammadu Buhari met
with members of the Nigeria Medical Association at the State House, Abuja on
Friday.
The meeting is coming 40 days after the National Association
of Resident Doctors declared an indefinite strike.
The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Health, Dr.
Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige, and his Minister of State for
Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora.
During the meeting, Buhari asked the health workers to
return to their duty posts, urging others contemplating strikes to opt for
settlement of issues by negotiation, no matter how long it takes.
“The lives of citizens that could be lost or damaged when
doctors withdraw services, are precious enough to be worth opting for peaceful
resolution of differences,’’ the President noted, according to a statement by
his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.
Buhari said the outstanding issue of an Establishment
circular issued by the Head of Service, removing House officers, NYSC Doctors
from scheme of service had an addendum circular from National Salaries and
Wages Commission to clarify that they will continue to earn the wages attached
to them on their present wage structure.
“I request that the agreement reached in the meetings of 20th
and 21st August captured in the MOU which I have seen be religiously
implemented,’’ he added.
To further improve the health sector, the President said
budgetary allocations had been increased and a Health Sector Reform Committee,
under the Chairmanship of the Vice President, had been commissioned to identify
and address weaknesses in the Health System and align with global best
practices that raise public confidence.
“We are also supporting initiatives to expand health
insurance coverage and bring more resources to health financing.
“We have many more challenges ahead and much more to do, for
our large population.
“In this respect, it is important to remind you that, as
senior medical personnel and representatives of one of the most respected
professional groups in the world, your responsibility for the health and
wellbeing of Nigerians are clear.
“It does not end only with the welfare of your members, but
continues with a sense of responsibility for the entire country and its
sociopolitical health and national stability,’’ he added.
The president commended the positive role Nigeria Medical
Association has been playing, as the apex professional medical association in
Nigeria, especially with regard to the ongoing industrial action.
“This is a befitting role for the NMA, as a mature organization,
led by responsible members with long experience.
“I am proud also to learn of various feats that have been
achieved in our hospitals, like the separation of conjoined twins and also the
valiant efforts of our health personnel in handling the Covid-19 pandemic, much
of which has earned us recognition at home and abroad, and the recent
appointment of one of your colleagues as Assistant Director-General of the
World Health Organization. We again warmly congratulate Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu
for his elevation,’’ he said.
Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said the NMA had
been playing a critical role in the development of the health sector,
particularly in tackling pandemics, participating in policy formulation and
population health.
President of the NMA, Prof. Innocent A. Ujah, thanked the
President for the appointment of members into strategic positions in
government, assent to the Medical Residency Act and immunization coverage.
Ujah said the association was concerned with the industrial
action embarked upon by doctors and had been doing its best to alleviate the
suffering of patients across the country while appealing for an urgent
resolution.
He assured the president of the continuous support of
members of the association to improve health in the country.
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