PAY OUR ENTITLEMENT OR FACE SERVICE WITHDRAWAL: NMA WARNS ZAMFARA. 28/08/03. By: Sadiq Aminu The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has issued a one week ultimatum to Zamfara State Government to outstanding salaries of its members, increase manpower and 15 months third party deduction or they withdraw service in both Federal, state and private hospitals across the state.
This was contained in a communique issued by the NMA at the end of their extended Executive Council Meeting jointly signed by chairman of the association Dr Sanusi Bello and secretary, Dr Murtala Muhammad S and made available to Radio Nigeria in Gusau.
In the communique, the NMA Zamfara state branch as a critical stakeholder cannot fold its arms and allow the state government to continue the nonchalant attitude against its members who were denied their Salary for 4 and eight months while others received less than 50% of their monthly salary.
The NMA said it observed with dismay the Non-payment of 17 Medical Doctors their monthly salaries for a period of four (4) months Non-payment of visiting Consultants and Professors their monthly allowances for a period of eight (8) months which led to the withdrawal of their services; Non-Payment of salary for July 2023 to all Medical Doctors in Yariman Bakura specialists hospital;
Other issues of concern were Gross underpayment of Eight (8) Medical Doctors as some of them received less than 50% of their monthly salary without any reason; Non remittance of third party deductions for a period of fifteen (15) months; Gross shortage of Manpower which became a threat to accreditation of the Yariman Bakura specialists hospital for postgraduate medical training, training of interns as well as delivery of specialist medical services to the people of the state thereby reversing the gains recorded over the years.
Therefore, the NMA resolved to issue a one week ultimatum to the Government of Zamfara State to address the above demands and it will proceed on Total and Indefinite Strike action from Monday September 4, 2023 if the Government fails to address the demands as contained in this communiqué.
“This will lead to total closure of all hospitals including Federal hospitals, State hospitals as well all private hospitals in addition to withdrawal of all medical and dental services by all Medical Doctors in Zamfara State.” The NMA warned
The demands include; Immediate payment of four (4) months outstanding salaries to 17 Medical Doctors who have not been paid since April 2023 without further delay; Immediate payment of all Medical Doctors in the hospital their salary for the month of July 2023; Immediate payment of Eight (8) months allowances to the visiting consultants and Professors without further delay; Immediate payment of outstanding balance of incomplete salaries to Eight (8) Medical Doctors without further delay; Immediate release of 15 months third party deductions to ARD ASYBSH and NMA Zamfara without further delay and Immediate recruitment of additional manpower across all cadre to ensure uninterrupted delivery of Healthcare services to the people of Zamfara State and to limit brain drain in the State.
Noting that the decision became necessary owing to the failure of the relevant organs of Government to holistically resolve the matter, despite several appeals by the Doctors and complains to the Hospital management, Accountant General as well as the Deputy Governor of Zamfara State.