NMA defends strike on poor welfare, members remuneration

Ini Billie, Uyo

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has defended its members for embarking on industrial action, saying that poor welfare and remuneration of its members are causes of the continuing strike including the spike in brain drain affecting the country.

The National Publicity Secretary of NMA, Dr Aniekeme Uwah who called on governments at all levels to address the problem, stated this on Monday during the 2021 Correspondents’ chapel week held in Uyo with the theme, “Post COVID-19 Economy, and the Challenges to Ethical Journalism Ahead of 2023 Elections.”

Uwah urged the governments to make proper budgetary provisions to the health sector to avoid unnecessary strike actions even as the National Association of Residents Doctors (NARD) have refused to go back to work.

“The rate of brain drain in the country is worrisome. I’m afraid of what the future holds and the fate of the younger ones. We relate and interact with some of our colleagues who work abroad, and we know how much they are paid and how they are being taken care of.

“So many of our colleagues in Nigeria have moved for green pasture abroad and if this is not tackled, the health sector will be highly affected. The only solution is for government to make adequate budgetary provisions so that doctors and other health workers will be motivated and well renumerated,” he stated.

Earlier in her welcome address, the state Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel, Comrade Idongesit Ashameri said the daily unfolding negative effects of the COVID-19 19 pandemic on the nation’s economy and survival of journalists posed a great threat to journalism ethics and practice.

She noted that the goal of the programme was to re-equip members with the capacity to uphold the ethics of the profession amidst economic challenges occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The year’s theme is aimed at sharpening our skills and keeping us within ethically acceptable boundaries for better service delivery and to contribute to nation-building,” she said.