As members of the Nigerian Medical Association commence another round of strike, patients across the nation have no compliments but condemnation for what they describe as doctors’ insensitivity. Folashade Adebayo, Femi Makinde, (Oshogbo); Success Nwogu (Ilorin); Emmanuel Obe (Asaba); Etim Ekpimah (Uyo); Oluwole Josiah (Akure); Olaleye Aluko and Emeka Obi (Lagos) report.
Ronke Adegborioye held her stomach in agony inside the premises of the Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital, Lagos, Tuesday, as the persistent pains the pregnant woman had been experiencing for some time now warranted an early visit to the hospital.
But there was no doctor in sight as at 10:30am! As her husband waited at the car park, Adegborioye told one of our correspondents that her only option was a private hospital.
“Actually, I knew the strike would begin today, but I thought I would be lucky. There is no doctor to attend to patients. My case is not life-threatening and I have decided to go to a private hospital,’’ she said.
Adegborioye was not alone. Services at the tertiary hospitals in Lagos State and across the country yesterday were skeletal, though there was considerable patient traffic. While nurses got busy checking the vital signs of the patients, the general experience was that doctors stayed away.
At the General Hospitals in Somolu, Orile Agege and Alimosho, the ubiquitous crowd was present with few or no doctors to attend to them.
The conditions were not different at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. While other nurses and other support staff were seen at duty posts, it was different for doctors who had already downed tools. Except for the absence of doctors, though, the pace of activities at LASUTH did not falter.
Attempts to speak with the Chief Medical Director, Prof. David Oke were not successful, as he was said to be attending a programme. However, patients decried the latest development and the implications on their individual finances.
Patients bear the brunt
An insurance broker, Mrs. Dunsin Akinpelu, expressed disappointment at the latest development in the health sector and lamented the unnecessary fatalities that would be recorded.
“Each time doctors go on strike, it is the patients who suffer. Many people will be forced to seek treatment either at private hospitals or herbal practitioners. Many people will die as a result. I find it baffling that patients are not reckoned with in Nigeria. Why must the crisis get to this level?” she asked.

All this na because of money no body wnts good name again

[size=17pt]Its very unfortunate that people who took an oath to save lives are now involved in politicking for ridiculous reasons!

I think those leading the NMA are leading the doctors in the wrong direction and should be called to order.

It would have been better if doctors are striking for more money, but rather striking for flimsy reasons like... "I spent a long time in the medical school, I should always be the BOSS in the hospital ", "Nobody except doctors should be bear the title- CONSULTANT, etc... all these are uncalled for!

Everyone in the hospital is important, no matter what (even the cleaners).

Everyone should be more concerned about doing what he/she was employed to do in the first place!

Everyone is supposed to work together for unity, everyone is virtually important!

Nobody should say Mr. A. is not important or Mr. B. is not important, that's gross!

I wonder when doctors began taking so much interest in a title rather than in research work!

Please if there is any good and strong reason given by the doctors for the strike, then please educate me, aside that I think the strike is ridiculous and TOTALLY uncalled for!



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Very soon patients will go on der own strike....foolish ppl

Selfish doctors fighting for more money

K

the planmaker: Selfish doctors fighting for more money

If you know your worth you will asked for it. It is only those that does not know their worth accept whatever is given to them.

As you blame the doctors, also blame the government.
A stitch in time saves nine.
If they were not being so busy hoarding money for 2015, perhaps, this would have been over and done with before they begin contemplating a strike.
That is the only language this mule-headed government understands.

Why alwayx NIGERIA?

Please Doctors, I'm begging you people to sheathe your swords and return to work for the sake of the patients. Dialogue remains the best option.

The Economists said human wants are insatiable, no matter how much the federal govt increase their pay to, when you are the type that is not contented, you will never be satisfy. In this life we should be satisfy with the little we have or else we go into crime.

I see nothing wrong in d strike. It is long overdue, d govt need to see to our plight

nigerians and strike have a symboitic relationship that dates decades ago and this relationship is not ready to be broken by any decree, intimidation, force etc......




This will mean more money to the private hospitals

Is_lie: nigerians and strike have a symboitic relationship that dates decades ago and this relationship is not ready to be broken by any decree, intimidation, force etc......




This will mean more money to the private hospitals

you right.....
Most of those doctors will just go back to their private hosiptals and cont......


To me they are just driving traffic to their private hosiptals and milk the patients

the planmaker: Selfish doctors fighting for more money

Dude, everything in life is not about money, why not read about their requirements before condemning them?
@nmanigeria: The Nigerian Medical Association resolved at her Emergency Delegates meeting on Saturday, 28th June,2014 in Abuja to proceed on total strike

@nmanigeria: The indefinite strike shall begin from 00:10 hrs of Tuesday, 1st July, 2014 for 'Restoration of sustainable sanity in patient's care in NGR'

@nmanigeria: The NMA listed some minimum end points for facing the challenges in Nigerian Health Sector. They're numbered as follows: #NMAStrike


@nmanigeria: 1. That the Circular on Deputy Chairman Medical Advisory C'ttee remains status quo and maintained. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 2. That all Health Workers shld attain the height of their careers (GL17) w/out the title 'Directors' in hospital setting. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 3. That GL 12(CONMESS 2) MUST BE SKIPPED for Medical and Dental Practitioners. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 4. The title 'Consultant' confers ownership of the patient on the Specialist Doctor and shldnt be used by any other health worker #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 5. Relativity in health sector is sacrosanct. The NMA hereby demands for immediate implementation of the Jan 3rd, 2014 circular. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 6. That Govt shld expedite the passage of the National Health Bill and extend Universal Health Coverage to 100% of Nigerians.... #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: The current NHIS only covers 30% of Nigerians which is inadequate. 1kobo/sec call extra of Telecomm charges is a source of CHIF. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: CHIF is the Community Health Insurance Fund as prescribed by the Nigerian Medical Association, earlier in the year. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 7. Surgeon-General of the Federation MUST be appointed with immediate effect as pronounced by President Goodluck Jonathan. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 8. That the Entry point of House Officer shld be corrected to CONMESS 1 Step 4 while Registrar/Med Officer is CONMESS 3 Step3. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 9. That Clinical Duty Allowance for Honorary Consultants should be increased by 90% of CONMESS. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 10. That Specialist allowance be adjusted as contained in the 2009 collective bargaining agreement. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 11. Hazard Allowance must be at least N100,000 per month for Medical Doctors. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 12. Immediate release of the circular on rural posting, teaching and other allowances which MUST include House Officers. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 13. Immediate withdrawal of the CBN circular authorising the MLSCN to approve licences for importation of Invitro Diagnostics. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 14. Immediate release of Circular on retirement age for Medical Doctors as agreed with the Federal Government. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 15. That the FG release the agreed templates on appointment of Resident Drs +Funding framework and Overseas clinical attachment. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 18. That the FMOH directive on NARD-FMC Owerri issue be effected immediately. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 19. That the orchestrated intimidation, harassment and physical assault of Doctors by Lab Scientists must stop. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 20. The endless circle of incomplete salary payment to our members in hospitals hinged on personnel cost shortfalls must stop. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 21. That Universal applicability of all circulars on the remuneration and conditions of service for Doctors must be guaranteed. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 22. That Govt shld as a matter of urgency set up a Health Trust Fund for upgrading of all hospitals in Nigeria. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 23. That position of Medical Director/CMD must be occupied by a Medical Doctor as in the Act establishing tertiary Hospitals. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: The issuance of Circular on the above points will end the Strike. Signed by the NMA National President and Secretary General #NMAStrike

Unecessary & useless policy formation & circulars based on sentiments by the FG should be blamed for the crisis in the health section. New bills are passed & old similar bills were not repealed.

Have a better understanding of why d strike became d only route'

https://www.nairaland.com/1795443/nma-nig-medical-association-strike

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Nigerians we funny sha... when doctors were shouting and shouting that dey wil go on strike... you na no ask government to dialogue den....

now the strike don start you na begin shout doctors are wicked.

i just hope dey settle it as soon as possible... cos thats another type of strike dat affects only the poor and middle class

can't the consultant lab technologists , pharmacists and radiographers take care of the patients? why all the noise

I wonder why government will dialogue, come to agreement then refuse to keep to their part of the agreement for years.
The number of points for strike keep increasing with every strike.

You can't keep telling the same people/union to sheathe their swords every single time and still do nothing about their demands.

Every strike in this country affects only the poor and middle class. God! Have Mercy!

Hmm well A revolving
lithic conglomerate accumulates
no congeries of small, green,
biophytic plant.#digdat

there is absolutely no need for worry. the doctors have backdown for the FGN and "consultant nurse, consultant lab technicians etc to experiment their ideas.

It's funny how people jump into abusing doctors at every given opportunity on this forum. As I recall, we claimed we don't needed them, that they are overrated, pompous, unintelligent,bla,bla,bla. We also claimed that we have nurses and other health workers who can equally do the job. So why are we complaining now? Why are groaning? In fact, we should be happy that other health workers have been given opportunity to show how useless doctors are.
Please be informed that other health workers are at their duty posts. If you have any health related issue, instead of sitting here and whining on how wicked doctors are, just stroll into a nearby hospital and one of the health workers will be glad to sort you out.

these Doctorrs are worse than Boko Haram.imagine the number of people that will die during the duration of this strike action and they dont even care despite the spate of bombings in the country now,

what if there is a bomb attack today and suvivors are rushed to the hospitals what will happen.....they dont care about that all they care about is themselves.

seyih2:
Dude, everything in life is not about money, why not read about their requirements before condemning them?
@nmanigeria: The Nigerian Medical Association resolved at her Emergency Delegates meeting on Saturday, 28th June,2014 in Abuja to proceed on total strike

@nmanigeria: The indefinite strike shall begin from 00:10 hrs of Tuesday, 1st July, 2014 for 'Restoration of sustainable sanity in patient's care in NGR'

@nmanigeria: The NMA listed some minimum end points for facing the challenges in Nigerian Health Sector. They're numbered as follows: #NMAStrike


@nmanigeria: 1. That the Circular on Deputy Chairman Medical Advisory C'ttee remains status quo and maintained. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 2. That all Health Workers shld attain the height of their careers (GL17) w/out the title 'Directors' in hospital setting. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 3. That GL 12(CONMESS 2) MUST BE SKIPPED for Medical and Dental Practitioners. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 4. The title 'Consultant' confers ownership of the patient on the Specialist Doctor and shldnt be used by any other health worker #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 5. Relativity in health sector is sacrosanct. The NMA hereby demands for immediate implementation of the Jan 3rd, 2014 circular. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 6. That Govt shld expedite the passage of the National Health Bill and extend Universal Health Coverage to 100% of Nigerians.... #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: The current NHIS only covers 30% of Nigerians which is inadequate. 1kobo/sec call extra of Telecomm charges is a source of CHIF. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: CHIF is the Community Health Insurance Fund as prescribed by the Nigerian Medical Association, earlier in the year. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 7. Surgeon-General of the Federation MUST be appointed with immediate effect as pronounced by President Goodluck Jonathan. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 8. That the Entry point of House Officer shld be corrected to CONMESS 1 Step 4 while Registrar/Med Officer is CONMESS 3 Step3. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 9. That Clinical Duty Allowance for Honorary Consultants should be increased by 90% of CONMESS. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 10. That Specialist allowance be adjusted as contained in the 2009 collective bargaining agreement. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 11. Hazard Allowance must be at least N100,000 per month for Medical Doctors. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 12. Immediate release of the circular on rural posting, teaching and other allowances which MUST include House Officers. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 13. Immediate withdrawal of the CBN circular authorising the MLSCN to approve licences for importation of Invitro Diagnostics. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 14. Immediate release of Circular on retirement age for Medical Doctors as agreed with the Federal Government. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 15. That the FG release the agreed templates on appointment of Resident Drs +Funding framework and Overseas clinical attachment. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 18. That the FMOH directive on NARD-FMC Owerri issue be effected immediately. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 19. That the orchestrated intimidation, harassment and physical assault of Doctors by Lab Scientists must stop. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 20. The endless circle of incomplete salary payment to our members in hospitals hinged on personnel cost shortfalls must stop. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 21. That Universal applicability of all circulars on the remuneration and conditions of service for Doctors must be guaranteed. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 22. That Govt shld as a matter of urgency set up a Health Trust Fund for upgrading of all hospitals in Nigeria. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: 23. That position of Medical Director/CMD must be occupied by a Medical Doctor as in the Act establishing tertiary Hospitals. #NMAStrike

@nmanigeria: The issuance of Circular on the above points will end the Strike. Signed by the NMA National President and Secretary General #NMAStrike

IMO...Not Many of their Points Sounds Valid...

This struggle for relevance in the health sector by paramedicals in the health sector must stop in other for peace to rein.

The nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, lab technologist who now call themselves scientists, admin workers, cleaners formed a gang-up union called JOHESU ( joint health workers union ) in order to gain unmerited advantage over doctors.

Government in its characteristic ineptitude has been granting contradictory and malicious circulars that favour JOHESU while systematically destroying age-long established order in keeping with best international practices.

This present strike action is meant to make government sit up and begin to do the right thing.