Striking doctors will return to work on Monday after five days warning strike that disrupted activities at the nation’s hospitals.
The President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Osahon Enabulele, in a statement on Sunday, announced the decision of the doctors to give the federal government another chance.
While enjoining his colleagues to return to work effective from 8.00 am on Monday, Mr. Enabulele, however threatened that he would not hesitate to call for full blown strike on January 6, 2014, should government fails to fulfill its promise
The statement reads, “The leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) wishes to inform the general public that Nigerian doctors in the public health sector will resume services from tomorrow, Monday 23rd December, 2013.
“This is in line with her earlier promise to give prime consideration to the yuletide season in the prosecution of her warning strike action and to give another opportunity for the government to concretely resolve all the demands of the Nigerian Medical Association for which she first issued a 21day ultimatum to government on the 2nd of September, 2013.
“Accordingly, President of the Nigerian Medical Association calls on all Nigerian doctors in the public health sector to resume full services with effect from 8am on Monday 23rd December, 2013.
“We also wish to use this opportunity to remind government that Nigerian doctors shall not hesitate to commence a full blown strike action from 8am on Monday, 6th January 2014, if government does not satisfactorily resolve the demands of the Nigerian Medical Association. We therefore call on the Local, State and Federal levels of Government to take note of this notice.
“While appreciating the great understanding and solidarity exhibited by Nigerians during the warning strike action, we fervently call on all well-meaning Nigerians to assist in the resolution of the demands of the NMA, amongst which are the resolution of the unmitigated injustices done to Nigerian doctors over time, appropriate funding of Nigeria’s healthcare system and expansion of Universal health coverage to cover all Nigerians, health infrastructural upgrade, e.t.c.
“We wish all Nigerians a happy yuletide season and a blessed 2014. “
