President Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday, called out to striking medical doctors to call off the industrial action as Nigerians are in critical need of their services.
Buhari, who made the call when he received members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, also urged those contemplating strike to choose amicable settlement of all grievances instead.
According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, Buhari noted that doctors’ striking at a time when the country is struggling to find its way out of a pandemic is not a good decision, the nature of grievances notwithstanding.
He urged the striking unions to opt for settlement of issues by negotiation, no matter how long it takes, assuring that all outstanding benefits owed medical doctors will be cleared, after verifications, even as he reminded them that his administration has a track record of paying its debt to workers and pensioners.
“The lives of citizens that could be lost or damaged when doctors withdraw services, are precious enough to be worth opting for peaceful resolution of differences.
“Protecting our citizens is not to be left to government alone, but taken as a collective responsibility, in which especially medical professionals play a critical role. Let me speak directly to the striking doctors. Embarking on industrial action at this time when Nigerians need you most is not the best action to take, no matter the grievances.
“This administration has a good track record of paying all debts owed to government workers, pensioners and contractors and we have even revisited debts left by past administrations, once due verification is done. Debts genuinely owed Health workers will be settled.
“I learnt that some of the 12 points demand in the ongoing strike were already addressed. Though the Review of a new Hazard Allowance has not been fully negotiated because of the sharp and deep division within the ranks of the striking doctors.’’
President Buhari said the outstanding issue of an Establishment circular issued by the Head of Service, removing House Officers, NYSC Doctors from scheme of service had an addendum circular from National Salaries and Wages Commission to clarify that they will continue to earn the wages attached to them on their present wage structure.
“I request that the agreement reached in the meetings of 20th and 21st August captured in the MOU, which I have seen, be religiously implemented,’’ he added.
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