COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF AN EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE NATIONAL OFFICERS COMMITTEE (NOC), HELD AT THE NATIONAL SECRETARIAT, IKEJA, LAGOS ON 14TH MARCH, 2007

The National Officers Committee (NOC) of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on the 14th of March, 2007 at the National Secretariat, Ikeja, Lagos, held an emergency meeting to discuss issues arising from the suspended strike action. After an exhaustive discussion of all related matters, the following resolutions were adopted:

1. That the decision to suspend the work to rule, without going into full blown strike was to prevent undue suffering of the masses in spite of the fact that our demands have not been fully met.

2. That the NOC notes with dismay that the offer of job specific allowances from government so far has led to a decrease in the allowances payable to a group of Medical and Dental Practitioners, instead of the general 15% increase. This is against the convention and internationally known labour laws.

3. The issue of preventing Doctors from going on strike every time there is salary review has not been addressed. The job specific allowances of Medical and Dental Practitioners must be a percentage of the salaries. The NMA demands an unequivocal statement documenting that the allowances would be reviewed commensurate with the increment in salaries during any upward review of salary in the country.

4. In view of the peculiar (essential) nature of Healthcare services, the NMA demands that the Salary Structure of Medical and Dental Practitioners should have universal applicability irrespective of where the Doctors work and not restricted to tertiary institutions.

5. The NMA demands that The Inter-Agency Technical Committee should submit its report to Mr. President through the Minister of Health before the end of March 2007.

6. The National Officers Committee reiterates the commitment of the NMA to team spirit in the Health Sector. Other Professionals in the sector are therefore enjoined to cooperate and allow for quick resolutions of the crisis in the interest of our ailing Healthcare services.

7. The NMA hopes that the Federal Government will reciprocate our disposition to dialogue by speedily and sincerely resolving the crisis to ensure industrial harmony in the Health Sector in particular and Nigeria in general.

8. The National Officers Committee wants the Federal Government and the general public to note that an Emergency Delegates Meeting will be convened to take final decision on the industrial action within two weeks of the conclusion of the work of the Inter-Agency Committee.

Dr. Dan Gana, mni President

Dr. Is’haq Abdul Secretary-General