Doctors threaten action, reject pay parity, consultancy cadre, others
Nigeria records 33% national coverage on immunisation, hospitals count losses Chief judge fixes May 16 for ruling on Melaye’s bail application
DOCTORS under the auspices of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) have threatened to resume strike if the Federal Government failed to meet the demands of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA).
Newly elected President of NMA, Dr. Francis Faduyile and the Secretary General, Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote, in a statement, yesterday, noted that the unions plan to extend the industrial action from federal hospitals to states and local councils.
They also rejected demands for pay parity, promotion to consultancy cadre with payment of specialist allowance, headship of departments and hospitals by members of the associations.
“The NMA wishes to draw the attention of the Federal Government to our correspondence of April 21, 2014 on the above, in which we reminded government of the collective bargaining agreement we had in January 2014.
“We once again remind government about the concluding part of our letter no. NMA/PRE/SG/03/0751 of March 21, 2014, which states, ‘ In view of the above, the NMA painfully wishes to inform the Federal Government that any award to the nonmedically qualified health professionals that violates the January and July agreements of 2014 shall result in the resumption of the suspended withdrawal of service of 2014,” they stated.
The NMA also rejected adjustment in
THE Kogi State Chief Judge, Nasiru Ajana, has fixed May 16 for ruling on the bail application brought by the senator representing Kogi west senatorial district, Dino Melaye.
The presiding judge fixed the date after listening to arguments from his counsel, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and the prosecution, Alex Iziyon (SAN).
The two applications brought before the court from the counsels, were consolidated for ease of justice delivery.
Moving the application for theconsolidated Health Salary Scale (CONHESS) with resultant pay parity between doctors and healthcare professionals allied to medicine, stressing that relativity was sacrosanct.
It added that the demand for professional autonomy was part of the fight for professional ego by the associations, insisting that the demand for health workers as consult- bail, Ozekhome argued that the motion for variation by Iziyon was uncalled for, as the judge could not reverse himself on the matter, saying he has no jurisdiction to reverse himself.
According to him, since the trial judge had already ruled according to Section 166 of the administration of criminal justice Law of Kogi State, that the section did not say the court should vary an order it earlier made.
He noted that the prosecution failed to appeal the ruling of the court that Melaye should be taken back to the ants, with payment of specialist allowance, was a self-centered agitation aimed at ensuring that they were in charge of clinical care.
“This is not only an aberration (considering international best practice) that will add no value to clinical patients’ care, it will also certainly worsen morbidity and mortality indices in Nigeria. We, therefore, reaffirm the rejection of this demand,” the association said. National Hospital, Abuja.
Ozekhome added that the prosecution had taken the senator from the private hospital to the Intensive Care Unit of the National Hospital because they knew he had health issues and didn’t want him to die in their custody.
Iziyon had told the trial judge not to grant the bail application, as the defendant had been certified fit to stand trial.
He filled a counter affidavit to the effect that Melaye attempted to escape by jumping out of the police van taking him to Lokoja.