In a significant development, the Ogun State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has suspended its 27-day strike, which had brought medical services in state-owned healthcare facilities to a grinding halt. The decision was made after an emergency general meeting held between August 27 and August 29, 2024, in Abeokuta.
According to Dr. OgunJimi Luqman, Chairman of the Ogun State NMA, “The congress acknowledges the severe impact on the people of Ogun State due to the disruption in medical services. We have opted to suspend the strike for four weeks to allow for meaningful discussions and negotiations with the state government.”
The strike, which began on August 3, was called in response to the state government’s failure to implement the reviewed Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) wage, which has been in effect for federal medical workers since June 2023.
Dr. Luqman emphasized that the suspension of the strike is intended to facilitate a period of peaceful dialogue with the government.
The NMA has given the government a four-week ultimatum to address their demands, warning that the strike may resume if their demands are not met.
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As Dr. Luqman noted, “We hope that the state government will use this opportunity to resolve the issues at hand. Our members are dedicated to serving the public, but they cannot continue to do so under the current circumstances.”
The NMA’s decision to suspend the strike has brought relief to patients and the general public, who had been bearing the brunt of the industrial action.
However, the association remains resolute in its demands, and the government must now take concrete steps to address the issues at hand to prevent another strike.
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