Kogi medical doctors begin strike

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Kogi on Sunday
directed its members to resume strike on Monday over an alleged
failure by the state government to meet their demands.

Dr Godwin Tijani, the Chairman of the association, said in
Lokoja that the inability of the state government to pay the
doctors’ full salaries was unacceptable.

Besides, Tijani said all the doctors’ associations and union
dues as well as members’ cooperative society contributions were not
remitted in full whereas 100 per cent taxes were deducted from
their salaries.

According to Tijani, even some doctors are yet to be paid.

“Congress, therefore, resolved that all its members across the
state should resume total and indefinite withdrawal of healthcare
services from all hospitals in Kogi, with effects from 12:00
midnight on Sunday, Jan 7, 2018.

“We want government to give a definite time line for the full
implementation of adjusted CONMESS (new salary structure) for
doctors in the state civil service and the accrued arrears since
January, 2014.

“Congress will reconvene once the state government responds
appropriately to the aforementioned demands,” he said.

Tijani, however, appreciated the commissioners for Health and
Finance and others, who were at the congress to douse tension and
ensure peaceful resolution of the matter.

He also commended their members for their patience and
understanding.

It would be recalled that the Kogi NMA had suspended an earlier
strike over the demand on June 22, 2017, following the state
government assurances that it would meet their demands.

It gave the government up till Dec. 31, 2017, to meet the demand
or face strike. (NAN)

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Kogi on Sunday
directed its members to resume strike on Monday over an alleged
failure by the state government to meet their demands.

Dr Godwin Tijani, the Chairman of the association, said in
Lokoja that the inability of the state government to pay the
doctors’ full salaries was unacceptable.

Besides, Tijani said all the doctors’ associations and union
dues as well as members’ cooperative society contributions were not
remitted in full whereas 100 per cent taxes were deducted from
their salaries.

According to Tijani, even some doctors are yet to be paid.

“Congress, therefore, resolved that all its members across the
state should resume total and indefinite withdrawal of healthcare
services from all hospitals in Kogi, with effects from 12:00
midnight on Sunday, Jan 7, 2018.

“We want government to give a definite time line for the full
implementation of adjusted CONMESS (new salary structure) for
doctors in the state civil service and the accrued arrears since
January, 2014.

“Congress will reconvene once the state government responds
appropriately to the aforementioned demands,” he said.

Tijani, however, appreciated the commissioners for Health and
Finance and others, who were at the congress to douse tension and
ensure peaceful resolution of the matter.

He also commended their members for their patience and
understanding.

It would be recalled that the Kogi NMA had suspended an earlier
strike over the demand on June 22, 2017, following the state
government assurances that it would meet their demands.

It gave the government up till Dec. 31, 2017, to meet the demand
or face strike. (NAN)