The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Bauchi State chapter has disclosed that it has not joined the nationwide strike embarked upon by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) which began on Thursday.
The chairman of the chapter, Dr. Lamara Dattijo, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Bauchi today.
According to him, the medical professional body is not an affiliate of the NLC as such its members are not to participate in the ongoing strike.
Dr. Dattijo informed that they will not allow hospitals across the state to be closed and subject people to untold hardship or cripple the healthcare delivery system.
“There are pressing health issues with citizens,” he said.
The NMA chairman said that their members will be available for consultations in all the health facilities in the state.
“We call on management of all hospitals to support doctors as they continue to render services to the patients, by ensuring safety of doctors, access to equipment and clinic offices.
“We urge all our members across the state to continue to render selfless services to our patients in spite the ongoing strike action by other health workers in the state,” Dr Dottijo said.
He however called on the Federal Government and the organised labour to sit down and resolve the lingering issues which led to the strike.
“We are calling on government to tour the path of truth and call ‘a spade a spade, to bring an end to this unnecessary strike,” he said.
Our correspondent who toured round the state noticed that most of the hospitals in Bauchi metropolis were providing services to patients.
Activities were also taking place at both Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) and the State Specialist Hospital.
The Chairman, Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) Bauchi State, Ibrahim Maikudi, informed that the union is in support of the strike.
He said that their members have joined the strike fully until when directive is given by the NLC and TUC to halt the strike.
The state NLC chairman, Comrade Hashimu Gital while speaking said the strike is successful in the state “because there is compliance by workers in the state.”
“The workers had all stayed back in their houses to comply with the strike,”he said.
According to him, the organised labour embarked on the strike to push for their demands on the new minimum wage and improved welfare.
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