National President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Kayode Obembe, on Wednesday expressed strong indications that the over six weeks industrial action embarked upon by medical doctors across the country, will soon be called-off.

Obembe, stated this after he led members of the NMA executive to hold a marathon meeting, behind closed doors, with the Senate President, David Mark, from the late hours of Tuesday to the early hours of Wednesday in Abuja.

The meeting, according to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Mr. Paul Mumeh, on Wednesday, was also attended by the Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan; Senator Tunde Ogbeha and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe.

The statement explained that Obembe said he would not give the exact date and time that the strike would be called off until he reports back to his members.

He was, however quoted to have described the meeting with the Senate President as, “very useful and successful”

Obembe described as incorrect, “the notion in some quarters that the striking doctors abandoned the nation in this trying times of major heath challenge on account of the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease.”

He clarified that ” there was never a time we refused to respond to the national emergency, we have been alive to our duties as professionals and to our father land.”

The NMA boss said, “Doctors were not unmindful of the health challenges faced by the nation at the moment but needed government to correct some abnormalities in the health sector to make it more effective and responsive to the health care needs of the citizens.”

He pledged to convene a stakeholders meeting very soon as part of the process to put an end to the current industrial action.

It will be recalled that the doctors embarked on the strike early last month following their disagreement with the federal government over alleged unpaid allowances.

But the statement added that Mark, during the closed door meeting, reminded the doctors of the implications of the strike to the health of the citizens if they continue.

He said that there were indications that government complied with a reasonable number of their demands.

Mark then pleaded with them to return to work just as he promised to table their grievances before Mr. President with a view to finding answers to them.

Obembe also promised to brief his members before the final decision to call off the action, would be taken.


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i gather from a reliable source that the FG is getting ready to play ball. its still being kept a secret what has been achieved. consequently an EDM might be convenen before the end of the week so delegates can review progress.

I think the first thing is to withdraw the circular on suspension of residency training and doctors sack