The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Abia State Chapter, has resolved to embark on a three day warning strike with total withdrawal of services of doctors from all government owned hospitals in Abia state ,including Federal Medical Center ,Umuahia ( FMC ) ,starting from Wednesday 13th to Friday 15th February 2019, if the state government fails to meet with their demands.
Following a crucial meeting held with all heads of Health institutions, Medical elders ,past state chairmen of the association and Heads of Affiliate bodies, at the consulting complex of Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, cautioned that Abia state government should as a matter of urgency pay atleast six months salary arrears to doctors of Abia state University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) and four months salary arrears to doctors of Hospital Management Board (HMB) on or before Tuesday 12 February ,2019 ,in addition to a documented plan on how to address all outstanding arrears,or they will go on with a three day warning strike.
In a communiqué issued by the association at the end of their emergency general meeting and signed by the state chairman ,Dr Carol Iwuoha and the State secretary ,Dr Umenwa Joachim, copied to the Executive Governor of Abia state, the Honourable Minister of Health ,Abia state Commissioner for Health, the Director of Security Services DSS ,the president Nigerian Medical Association and All heads of government health institutions in Abia state, stated that the
NMA regretted the lingering problem of Salary arrears of 11 months and 8 months owed the ABSUTH and HMB doctors respectively, despite several engagements with the Association and promises by the government to address the backlog of salary arrears.
NMA also observed the efforts of the state government towards ensuring effective health care delivery in the state.
NMA further revealed that the state government should urgently pay the salary arrears of doctors in ABSUTH and HMB before Tuesday 12th February 2019,and a documented plan on how to address all outstanding arrears,
adding that failure on the part of government to do as stated above would result in a three day warning strike with total withdrawal of services of doctors from all government owned hospitals in Abia
” NMA appeals to the appropriate agencies of the state government to intensify efforts to ensure speedy resolution of the issue in contention to forestall the current looming strike action “
