The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has concluded plans shut down all the health facilities in Abia State beginning Thursday December 8, to protest non-payment of their salaries by the government.
Chairman of the Abia State chapter of the NMA, Dr Abali Isaiah, and the Secretary, Dr Daniel Ekeleme, noted through a communique after their meeting, that doctors working at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) are owed between 21 and 25 months salaries, while their counterparts at the Health Management Board (HMB) have13 months backlog.
Thus, they declared as follows:
“That the 21- day ultimatum approved by the National Executive Council (NEC) of NMA and given to Abia State Government (ABSG) on November 17, to clear the aforementioned salary arrears is currently in its 17th day.
“That ABSG is yet to show any serious commitment to the course.
“That doctors working with ABSUTH and HMB are currently undergoing an untold hardship.”
While condemning the non-payment of doctors in ABSUTH and HMB, NMA said her ultimatum to Abia Government still stands and running.
The association insisted on the payment of what is owed doctors as a condition to avert the impending strike.
It insisted that failure to meet the above demands on or before December 8 would force all doctors in Federal, State, and private sectors in Abia State to proceed on total and indefinite strike.