The time has come for genuine and sustainable reconciliation between the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and her affiliates (especially the NARD) for the improvement and integrity of the medical profession, education and practice.
The last few weeks have been a challenging period for the medical profession, as the FG has almost succeeded in disintegrating the existing bond and brotherhood through divide and rule mechanisms and she has not fulfilled her agreements with the different affiliates on a continuous basis.
This crisis had led to negative media remarks between NMA and NARD because of mistrust between the mother and daughter respectively. It is highly unfortunate and unacceptable, the situation we found ourselves especially during this critical period when the health system of this great country is worsened daily from poor infrastructural development, shortage of human resources and continuous brain drain syndrome of the doctors to other countries.
It is our responsibility as associations of medical experts to the citizens to engage and ensure that the governments, especially FG provides qualitative, effective, equitable, affordable and accessible healthcare delivery to the citizens. This can only be done through genuine and effective collaboration among NMA and her affiliates.
My humble suggestions on the way forward on this issue between the FG and NMA and her affiliates especially NARD are the following:
1. NMA NOC should convene Emergency Delegates Meeting (EDM) – Physical may be appropriate – within 3 days as from today as agreed at the Benin National Executive Council (NEC) to rescue NARD from the unfair order from the National Industrial Court (NIC) of Nigeria and from aggression towards NARD by the FG. This action will indirectly make NMA take over the struggle of the soul of the medical profession from NARD, while NARD will continue with the process of appeal against the order of the NIC through stay of execution. This action will resolve the internal crisis and mistrust between the NMA and NARD and ensure that the FG yield to the demands of NARD and other affiliates.
2. As a matter of urgency, NMA should convene a meeting between her and affected affiliates (NARD, MDCAN, AND MEDSABAM) with the inclusion of the Past Presidents, Chairmen of committees of remuneration, welfare and young doctors. This meeting should be used to harmonise positions of NMA and her affiliates and propose agreeable demands.
2. President of NMA not the Secretary General should lead the delegations of the NMA and her affiliates to the FG negotiation meetings.
3. President of NMA should call for recess when there is deadlock or tension during the meeting to ensure NMA and her affiliates hold same position. If the issue can’t be resolved during recess, NMA and her affiliates have the right to ask for the adjournment of the meeting with the government.
From the statement of the minister of labour and employment after the meeting between the FG and NARD on 16th September, 2021 that they have to adjust some aspects of the agreements because some events have overtaken some of the agreements. NMA should use this opportunity to review the agreement on the circular for the removal of housemanship and NYSC doctors from the schemes of service by ensuring that the circular is withdrawn within one to two weeks. While the memo/circular from the National Salary and Wages Commission (NSWC) on the issue should be rejected because it has not solved the effects of this obnoxious circular on the foundation and fabric of the medical profession but just emphasised the financial aspects.
Withdrawal of the circular on the removal of housemanship and NYSC doctors from the schemes of service is the most important issue among the other issues because of its effect on the fabric, soul and foundation of the medical profession.
FG is not ready for meaningful resolution towards the NARD strike by rejecting the NMA’s advice to withdraw the court case before the NIC sitting on the 15th September 2021, also with the continuous aggravating statements from the minister of labour and employment.
THIS IS THE TIME TO ACT TO DEFEND THE INTEGRITY AND FABRIC OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION AND PROTECT THE YOUNGER COLLEAGUES AND THE HEALTH OF NIGERIAN CITIZENS
Dr. Saheed Babajide Kehinde
(Written on 18/09/2021, following the 3rd sitting of the court and order to resume work despite requests unmet)
About Author:
Dr Saheed Babajide Kehinde is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and HOD, Orthopaedic Department, Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos. Also, the Current Chairman, National NMA Committee on Emergency Preparedness, Immediate Chairman of Medical Guild, Past Secretary of NMA Lagos State and Past President of LASUTH ARD.
