Lagos NMA - We won’t end strike over Ebola death

In spite  of  the imminent threat of the Ebola Virus in Lagos, striking medical doctors under the aegis of Lagos State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association, have said they will not suspend the ongoing strike .

The Chairman of the association, Dr Tope Ojo, said the ongoing strike was not called because of Ebola and could not be called off because of the threat of the viral infection in the state.

He said, “We are not on strike because of Ebola. It was never part of our demands. It wasn’t our fault.”

He, however, said the doctors would continue to partner with the state government to monitor the trend of the disease to check its spread.

Ojo, who spoke at a press briefing organised by the newly elected officials of NMA in the state, said the association regretted that his team had to take over the leadership of the association during the industrial dispute.

He blamed the  ongoing crisis in the health sector on the Federal Government’s  mismanagement of the sector.

He said, ” Why should a government be willing to concede the headship of the medical institutions to the hands of allied health workers?

“Will the same government not concede to a hostess  the right to fly a plane or court bailiff  the post of a judge or the head of a university maintenance unit to be the vice chancellor because of the so-called opportunistic explanation of team work?”

Speaking on the contentious issue of granting the prayers of other health workers to become consultants , Ojo said the decision of the government, if allowed, will only create unending anarchy.

Ojo stated, “The title of ‘ Consultant’ in  medical practice is preserved exclusively for a doctor that has gone through a minimum of six years excruciating full time, postgraduate academic training.

“The patient is traditionally registered under a consultant, who owns the patient and reserves the right of success or failure in the chain of events.  We therefore warn the Nigerian people of the inherent danger of this conspiracy to deceive and confuse them as they attend hospitals for their health needs.

“NMA is not against the normal professional advancement of any allied health professional. Our position is that the situation must not arise where there will be anarchy and disruption of the chain of command that is bound to jeopardise patients’ lives.”

He added that a situation, where doctors are paid N5,000.00 monthly allowance for hazard was not only laughable but unbelievable.

Ojo said,“A doctor’s life can be lost in an instance when exposed to fatal illnesses such as Ebola, Lassa fever or he may be subjected to a life-long suffering from HIV or Hepatitis B infection.”