Following the declaration of an indefinite nationwide industrial strike action by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) today, Tuesday, June 01, 2014, the Delta state branch of the NMA has followed suit, as all public health institutions in Delta state have been partially shut down.
The Delta state chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Uyi Osarenkhoa said in Asaba, that the Delta state branch of NMA has joined in the nationwide strike action and subsequently directed all doctors in the state to down tools.
According to him, the various public health institutions in the state have been urged to comply with the directive. “We have stopped admitting patients and are gradually transferring those already on admission.”
The state NMA boss assured that the all in-patients at the hospital would be given prompt attention ahead of their relocation from government owned hospitals by their families.
He noted that the hospitals have also stopped handling emergency cases, adding that those already in the emergency wards in various hospitals would be made to leave.
A visit to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba and General Hospital, Okwe showed that the strike action have taken effect as various families were seen around the premises making arrangements to relocate their relatives from the hospitals.
A patient’s relative in one of the hospitals visited who preferred anonymity told Blank NEWS Online that they have no option than to relocate their sick relatives to private hospitals since government hospitals are on strike.
Recall that the NMA after an emergency meeting at the weekend said it is compelled to call its members out on strike following the alleged refusal of the Federal Government to meet their demands.
To halt the strike, the association insisted government must issue circular on their demands for restoration of sustainable sanity in patient care in Nigerian hospitals.
Also addressing a press conference on Monday in Abuja, NMA President, Dr. Kayode, said “The NMA is taking this painful route because our silence and gentle approach to these contending issues have been taken for granted.
“We have to take this action in order to save the health care delivery system from anarchy that is palpably imminent.
“We hereby appeal to all Nigerians for their understanding and to press on Government to meet with our demands to avoid the strike which is scheduled to start on the 1st July.”
