President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday appealed to the striking members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to return to their duty posts while assuring them that all genuine debts owed them would be paid.
The President also enjoined the Nigerian Medical Association to always embrace negotiations for the resolution of conflicts adding that no matter how long it took, it was still the best way to resolving crisis.
Mr Buhari made this plea on Friday while receiving the leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) who paid him a visit at the state house in Abuja.
The President cautioned that embarking on industrial action at a critical health period for the country and citizens was not a good option adding, that 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.
He said, “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.
The President assured that all outstanding benefits owed medical doctors will be cleared, but only after necessary verifications must have been carried out.
“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.’’
On removal of house officers and doctors on National Youth Service Scheme, NYSC, from the salary scheme ,the president said there was a circular from National Salaries and Wages Commission to clarify that if they will continue to earn the wages attached to them on their present wage structure.
To further improve the health sector, the President said budgetary allocations had been increased and a Health Sector Reform Committee, under the chairmanship of the Vice President, had been commissioned to identify and address weaknesses in the health system and align with global best practices that raise public confidence.
“We are also supporting initiatives to expand health insurance coverage and bring more resources to health financing.
The president noted that the global economy had been seriously affected by the pandemic and that Nigeria was no exception, adding that Nigeria’s source of revenue over many years was dwindling, with a rising population.
“The source of revenue that Nigeria has depended on for so long experienced global decline, our population is rising fast and the tension arising from both, is fuelling agitation among our youth. Organisations like the NMA could play a very useful moderating role in society,’’ the President said.
Reacting the president of the NMA, Innocent A. Ujah, thanked the President for appointing the association’s members into strategic positions in government, assent to the Medical Residency Act and immunisation coverage.
Mr Ujah said the association was concerned about the industrial action embarked upon by doctors, and had been doing its best to alleviate the suffering of patients across the country, while appealing for an urgent resolution.
The NMA president thanked President Buhari for the takeoff grant for the Federal Universities of Health Sciences in Otukpo, Benue State, Azare, Bauchi State and Ila Orangun, Osun State.
Mr Ujah suggested an appropriate funding model for the new institutions.
He assured the President of the continuous support of members of the association to improve health in the country.