COMMUNIQUE ISSUED
AT THE END OF THE EMERGENCY DELEGATES’ MEETING (EDM) OF THE NIGERIAN MEDICAL
ASSOCIATION HELD AT THE OLD GREAT HALL OF THE COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY
OF LAGOS, LAGOS STATE, ON SATURDAY JUNE 2ND
, 2012.
PREAMBLE
The Nigerian
Medical Association (NMA) held an Emergency Delegates Meeting (EDM) on
Saturday, June 2nd, 2012 to review
the illegal sack of 788 doctors in the employment of Lagos State Government.
The EDM was attended by delegates from the 36 states of Nigeria, Federal
Capital Territory and the Affiliate groups of NMA.
At the end of
exhaustive deliberations, the following observations and resolutions were made
by the EDM:
OBSERVATIONS
1. The
Emergency Delegates’ Meeting (EDM) observed that the current distrust and
crisis in the Lagos state health sector was occasioned by the Lagos State
Government’s consistent failure to implement the several agreements it freely
entered into with doctors in her employment. These agreements include the
implementation of a mutually agreed Consolidated Medical Salary Structure
(CONMESS) for Medical doctors without compression of grade level steps
as currently exist in Lagos State.
2. The
EDM observed that all the actions so far taken by the Lagos State branch of NMA
and the National Officers Committee (NOC) of NMA to resolve the face-off
between the Lagos State Government and doctors in her employment were in order.
3. The
EDM noted the press statement made by the Lagos state governor, Mr. Babatunde
Raji Fashola, suspending the dismissal order earlier pronounced on 788 doctors
by the Lagos State government. The EDM, however, observed that since this media
pronouncement of the suspension of the dismissal order there has not been any
official communication of Lagos State Government’s new position to either the
doctors affected or the Nigerian Medical Association. Importantly, the EDM
observed that since the recent media statement by the Lagos State Government,
none of the 788 illegally sacked doctors have been individually issued recall
letters vacating their earlier dismissal, and with effect from the date they
were purportedly dismissed.
4. The
EDM observed with total dismay the casualization of Labour in the Medical
Profession as evidenced by the slavish and villatic locum contract appointment
offered by the Lagos State Government in the course of her dispute with her
legitimately employed doctors.
5. The
EDM observed the unwarranted acts of disloyalty to the Association and Medical Profession
by some doctors.
6. The
EDM also noted with dismay the earlier illegal eviction of the illegally sacked
doctors from their residential quarters despite the existing tenancy laws of
Lagos State which specifies a minimum of six months before the eviction of a
tenant. The EDM however observed that the eviction order has been reversed by
the Governor of Lagos state, in response to the call by the NMA and other well
meaning Nigerians for justice and constitutionality in the address of the matter.
7. The
EDM noted the appeals and plight of the toiling masses of Lagos State. The EDM
also noted the speedy intervention and sincere commitment of President Goodluck
Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, towards the resolution of the crisis, as well as the immense
support of other Professional Associations, Unions, groups and other well
meaning Nigerians.
8. The
EDM observed that some State Governments were yet to implement the Consolidated
Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS- the minimum wage for Nigerian doctors)
for the doctors in their employment despite the series of appeals made by the
NMA.
RESOLUTIONS
1. The
Emergency Delegates’ Meeting (EDM) of the NMA endorsed all the actions so far
taken by the Lagos State branch of NMA and the National Officers Committee.
2. The
EDM resolved that a meeting should be convoked within two (2) weeks from the
EDM between NMA Lagos State Branch and the Lagos State Government to sort out
issues of withdrawal of sack letters and all agreements earlier freely entered
into by the Lagos State Government.
3. The
EDM resolved that there should be an unconditional recall of the doctors by
issuance of individual letters of recall to all the 788 illegally sacked
doctors to take effect from the date they were purportedly dismissed, and
without any punitive measures. If within two (2) weeks they are not
unconditionally recalled, the EDM empowered the National Officers Committee
(NOC) of the NMA to issue a three (3) weeks ultimatum to Lagos State Government
to individually issue the recall letters or face a nationwide action.
4. The
EDM of the NMA strongly condemned the casualization of labour in the Medical
profession by the Lagos State Government and strongly advices the Lagos State
Government to stop forthwith this atavistic exercise in slavery.
5. The
EDM of the NMA revalidated its earlier December 2010 National Executive Council
resolution directing all the State branches of NMA to negotiate with State
Governments yet to commence implementation of CONMESS (the minimum wage for
Nigerian doctors), and to proceed on strike if necessary.
6. The
EDM resolved to utilise appropriate mechanisms to address all acts of
disloyalty and gross abuse of the Association/ Medical Profession by her
members.
7. The
EDM directed the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to suspend its
earlier issued ultimatum to the Federal Government, for an indefinite strike
action over the crisis in Lagos state health sector.
8. The
EDM, in great appreciation of the understanding and plight of the people of
Lagos State, the speedy intervention and sincere commitment of President
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR; the National body of the NMA has directed the
Lagos state branch of NMA to suspend its strike action with the hope that
the Lagos State Government will reciprocate this gesture and fulfil all
agreements it earlier freely entered into with doctors in Lagos State
Government employment.
APPRECIATION
The
National body of the Nigerian Medical Association profoundly appreciates the
principled support of the Joint Action Front, ASUU, NUPENG, NBA, Mr Femi
Falana, Mr. Tunji Braithwaite, the print and electronic media, and other
well-meaning Nigerians.
NMA
also commends her members in the employment of Lagos State Government for their
steadfastness, uncommon courage and determined quest for justice and good
governance.
We
also commend our members in the Federal Health institutions in Lagos state who
justifiably went on solidarity strike in support of our colleagues in the
employment of the Lagos state government.
All
the delegates from the 36 states of Nigeria, the Federal Capital Territory and
the Affiliate groups of NMA are well appreciated for their commitment to the
defence of the fundamental rights of workers in Nigeria and the sanctity and
integrity of the Medical Profession.
We
once again appreciate all Lagosians, well meaning Nigerians and the
International Community for their understanding, patience and support for our
principled cause.
Finally,
we thank the Lagos state branch of NMA for successfully hosting the EDM despite
the short notice given to them.
The
Nigerian Medical Association remains very committed to good governance,
equitable, accessible and quality healthcare services in Nigeria.
Dr. Osahon
Enabulele Dr. A.L. Pemu
President of
NMA
Secretary-General
of NMA
