President Muhammadu Buhari has called on 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 President made the call when he received members of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), at the Presidential Villa Abuja.
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He said that the lives of the citizens that will be lost or damaged when doctors withdraw services, are precious enough and worth opting for peaceful resolution of differences.
President Buhari assured that, all outstanding benefits owed medical doctors will be cleared, after verifications, noting that embarking on industrial action at a critical health period for the country and citizens, was not a good option.
President Buhari said the outstanding issue of an Establishment circular issued by the Head of Service, removing House officers, NYSC Doctors from the scheme of service, had an addendum circular from the National Salaries and Wages Commission, to clarify that they will continue to earn the wages attached to them on their present wage structure.
To further improve the health sector, the President said that 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 will enhance public confidence.
The President noted that Nigeria’s source of revenue over the years has dwindled, with a rising population.
The President commended the positive role the Nigeria Medical Association has been playing, as the apex professional medical association in Nigeria, especially with regard to the ongoing industrial action.
President Buhari added that the course of Covid-19 in Nigeria was not yet entirely clear, and response to it must be collective.
In his remarks, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said that 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.
In his response the President of the NMA, Prof. Innocent A. Ujah, thanked President Buhari, for the appointment of members into strategic positions in government, assent to the Medical Residency Act and the immunisation 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.
The NMA president thanked President Buhari, for takeoff grant for the first Federal University of Health Sciences in Otukpo, Benue State, Azare, Bauchi State and Ila Orangun, Osun State and suggested an appropriate funding module for the new institutions.
The NMA leader assured the President of the continuous support of members of the association, to improve health in the country.
Edited by Tunde Orebiyi
