NMA gives FG 21-day ultimatum to resolve issues with resident doctors, others

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has given the federal government a 21-day ultimatum to resolve the issues contained in the various agreements signed with the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), the Medical and Dental Consultants of Nigeria ( MEDCAN) and the Medical and Dental Specialist Association in Basic Medical Sciences (MEDSABAMS).

The association gave the ultimatum in a communique issued late Saturday night after its national executive council meeting in Benin City, Edo state.

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The communique which was signed by the president of the association, Professor Innocent Ujah and Secretary General, Dr Philips Uche Ekpe said the various industrial disputes involving the different affiliates of the association were exhaustively reviewed during the meeting.

“After due consideration, NEC put the Federal Government on a 21 days notice to fully resolve all the issues contained in the various agreements signed with affiliate members of the Nigerian Medical Association (including MDCAN, MEDSABAMS and NARD),” the association said.

While saying that it fully supports all her affiliates in their efforts to improve healthcare delivery in Nigeria, and the welfare of her members, the association said that
no doctor shall be victimized for participating or not participating in the industrial action by NARD.

NMA warned that if the federal government failed to implement the agreements after the expiration of the 21- days notice, it shall summon an emergency delegate meeting to review the progress made on the implementation of the agreements.