Nigeria Medical Association NMA Nasarawa State Chapter says it has concluded plans to withdraw their services if the state government fails to address their demands bordering on welfare issues after 21 days.
The state Chairman of NMA Dr. Peter Attah stated this during a press briefing in Lafia the state capital.
Dr. Attah stated that they had to give the ultimatum as their last resort having exhausted all avenues for the state government to prioritize welfare of doctors working with the state owned facilities but to no avail.
He pointed out that the demands of the doctors include non promotion and annual increments of doctors salaries since 2018, on implementation of national minimum wage and hazard allowance as well as tax exemption on call duty allowance.
The NMA Chairman explained that due to continuous deteriorating state of the working conditions of doctors in Nasarawa State Government owned hospitals, three of their colleagues have died with lassa fever within a space of one year in the line of duty.
“Doctors in Nasarawa State owned hospitals work under intense pressure due to shortage of manpower. Many doctors have left the facilities for greener pastures because the government has failed to do the needful. Our patience is over stretched,” he said.
Dr. Attah added that while they remained opened for dialogue, they will not hesitate to proceed on indefinite strike on the 3rd of July 2023 if the state government fails to address their demands.