…Meets medical association
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met with members of the Nigeria Medical Association at the State House, Abuja.
The meeting is coming 40 days after the National Association of Resident Doctors declared an indefinite strike.
The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige, and Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora.
During the meeting, Buhari asked 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 lives of citizens that could be lost or damaged when doctors withdraw services, are precious enough to be worth opting for peaceful resolution of differences,’’ the President noted, according to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.
Buhari said the outstanding issue of an Establishment circular issued by the Head of Service, removing House officers, NYSC doctors from scheme of service had an addendum circular from National Salaries and Wages Commission to clarify that they will continue to earn the wages attached to them on their present wage structure.
The President commended the role Nigeria Medical Association, (NMA), has been playing, as the apex professional medical association in Nigeria, especially with regard to the ongoing industrial action.
President of the NMA, Prof. Innocent A. Ujah, thanked the President for the appointment of members into strategic positions in government, assent to the Medical Residency Act and immunisation coverage.
Ujah assured the president of the continuous support of members of the association to improve health in the country.
