24th May, 2018
The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has called for provision of adequate security at public hospitals to enable doctors and contract staff render uninterrupted services to Nigerians.
Dr Frances Faduyile, the NMA President, made the call in a statement he issued on Thursday in Abuja.
Faduyile said the appeal was to checkmate the alleged threats of striking Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) workers and their officials to prevent doctors from offering healthcare services to Nigerians.
“They now lock up clinical service points and equipment thereby making it difficult for doctors to operate smoothly within the hospital environment.
“We call on the CMDs/MDs of government own facilities to provide adequate security for doctors and contract staff who are currently offering services within the hospitals,” said the NMA president.
He added that association also observed with dismay the maligning of the Ministers of Health and Labour by JOHESU, “calling them all sort of uncomplimentary names, and the call by JOHESU for the removal of the minister of health.
“We therefore call on the federal government and its representatives including the Minister of Health and that of Labour and Productivity not to be distracted but continue to stand with the truth and international best practices in ensuring the improvement of the health indices of Nigerians.
“We condemn this unbecoming action of the striking allied health workers in strong terms and call on government to call this amorphous group to order,” he said.
The NMA president reiterated the desire of its members to continue to offer seamless healthcare services to Nigerians and call on government to ensure conducive working environment for it members.
JOHESU, a union comprising all health workers in Nigeria apart from medical doctors and dentists, began a nationwide indefinite strike on April 18.
The health workers are demanding for improved healthcare facilities and condition of service.