Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha
THE
Imo State Branch of Nigeria Medical Association has threatened to
embark on an indefinite strike if the state government fails to meet
their demands.
The state branch of the NMA had earlier
demanded the immediate payment of eight-month salary arrears of doctors
and health workers, payment of corrected CONMESS and the expansion of
facilities at the Imo State University Teaching Hospital, general
hospitals and health centres.
It also demanded for the immediate lifting of the ban on promotion of doctors and other health workers.
Other demands made by the association
were the immediate reversal of the process of handing over public health
institutions to private individuals and genuine commitment by the
Owelle Rochas Okorocha-led state government to health institutions.
Speaking
at a press conference, the state NMA Chairman, Dr. Hyacinth Emele, said
several presentations and meetings by the professional body to the
government and over the demands were met with rebuffs.
Emele also stated that all NMA members,
who supported what he called ill-conceived plans for the concession of
state government-owned hospitals, would face disciplinary measures.
He warned the state government to stop
forthwith its attempts to hand over government-owned public health
institutions in the state.
He condemned the concession policy of
Okorocha’s administration, citing the concession of the Imo State
Specialist Hospital to his former adviser.
Emele said, “NMA, Imo State, wonders why
government has again chosen to put Imolites, especially the poor
through a path that has been tried in the recent past without success.
“If the state government hands off its
responsibilities on issues as burdensome as health where it is needed
most, one wonders what other use a government will serve for the
people.”
He expressed worry over the suspension
of admission of medical students for the next three years by the Medical
and Dental Council of Nigeria into IMSUTH, Orlu, saying it would not
produce medical doctors for three consecutive years.
He said, “It is sad and painful that
when we are supposed to be talking of expanding our facilities so as to
admit more of our children into medical school, we are at the verge of
losing the existing one.”
Emele, however, lamented that in spite
of the bailout fund by the Federal Government, the state government had
been owing doctors and other health workers upward of eight-month salary
arrears.
“This is inhuman and should be condemned
by all and sundry. Check out the draconian threat of salary cut of
health workers by the state government against the fixed and
circularized salary, structure. This is robbery that is condemnable and
must be resisted,” he said.
source punch
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