NMA RESPONSE TO THE NLC/TUC/JOHESU-JOINT THREAT AT A TIME OF NATIONAL PAIN AND HEART BREAK The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has noted with utmost displeasure the threat of strike action jointly issued by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in solidarity with JOHESU to deploy all resources within their reach to collapse the entire Nigerian nation using a nationwide mass action in the event of failure of the Federal Government to meet some of their irrational and inordinate demands. We also note with shock the level of deep seated and possibly genetic anger some leaders of the allied health workers (who are civil servants) have continued to exhibit against doctors, to the extent of describing Prof. C. O. Onyebuchi Chukwu, a serving Hon. Minister of The Federal Republic of Nigeria as INTRANSIGENT. This is not only despicable but highly condemnable by all men of good conscience. We regret that the NLC and the TUC have particularly chosen this period of national grief and severe trauma occasioned by series of bomb blasts with mass casualties; the kidnap of our daughters and sisters in Chibok by insurgents and several other calamitous events bedeviling our beloved nation to issue a threat to the Federal Government. Without prejudice, we have always noted and voiced out the fact that the crises in the health sector are politically motivated and counter productive to efforts at sustainance of our fledging democracy, spirited efforts at achieving the health related MDGs in particular and in the overall improvement of our health indices in general. This threat of strike and other recent events have proven us right. This is an attempt to blackmail the Federal Government to do what it knows, that if done, will trigger a vicious circle of industrial disharmony in the health sector. It is sad to note that given the status of NLC/TUC as the umbrella body of all labour organizations in the country, the leadership have NEVER bothered to investigate the issues surrounding industrial disharmony in the health sector but chose to exhibit bias and lopsided support for their affiliates not minding the grave consequences these pose to the overall health and well being of Nigerians. THE ISSUES Salary and Emoluments It is important at this juncture to let the whole nation know that for more than twenty years the Nigerian doctors were short-changed due to an error during the conversion of salary scales from the Grade level system to the HATISS scale. The NMA was in discussion with government to correct the error all this while, preferring the option of dialogue to strikes. It was only in December 2013 that the Federal government accepted that truly there was an error against the doctors. It is also pertinent to note that the error was magnified over the 20 years period. NMA in a rare show of maturity and demonstration of unparalleled patriotism waived all the arrears and requested that the correction takes effect from January 2014. A circular effecting a partial correction was issued on January 3rd, 2014, which is yet to be implemented till date. It is worthy of note that the drop in call duty/shift duty allowances which hitherto was not reflected , was corrected across board at the January 3rd, 2014 meeting courtesy of NMA vigilance. This correction was extended to all health workers; which is a practical demonstration of the egalitarian leadership of Doctors who carry everybody along and ensure that every health worker get his/her rightful due. ABERRANT SKIPPING OF SALARY GRADE LEVEL 10 The general public is probably not aware of the issues surrounding skipping of salary grade level as it concerns members of JOHESU. To put it in a very simple way; a JOHESU member on grade level 10 or equivalent (CONHESS 9) moves to Grade level 13 or equivalent (CONHESS 12) on promotion. There is no other set of workers in Nigeria that enjoy this type of unusual advancement. This has been going on for more than ten years before the office Of the Head of Service of the Federation directed that it should be stopped. This ultimately led to a suit action at the National Industrial Court (NIC). For reasons best known to the NIC it ruled that since they have been enjoying it for some time, they should continue to do so. The Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) appealed against the judgement on the basis of potential danger of causing conflagration in the entire workforce of the nation and injustice to other workers in the sector. Today, NLC, TUC and JOHESU are querying why the FMoH should appeal against an overt fraud, and threatening to shut down the entire nation. The same court that granted skipping also told JOHESU and her members that they have no basis to earn the same salary as doctors, but they will take non of that; everybody wants to be paid the same as doctors. NMA wishes to use this medium to ask JOHESU sympathizers, where else in the whole world does this anomaly take place? CREATION OF DIRECTORATE Doctors have never been concerned with obstructing processes which are to lead to better illumination for all concerned through referral of issues to appropriate bodies for considerations. Some are pleased to note the burden on the office of the Chairman of the MEDICAL Advisory Committee who also is the Director of clinical services, research and training but still do not want it supported by Deputies. This is the understanding and love they have for the activities of the offices concerned and the implications of their recommendations for our society at large. NMA had warned years ago that certain schemes of service obtained through the back door will be difficult to implement in a hospital system. We are aggrieved at how these strange schemes and cadres are awarded to certain group of workers without considerations for overall harmony or hierarchical order, ultimate responsibilities in patient care and financial burden on the nation. This explains from time immemorial why doctors from grade levels 15 and above have retained their professional designation without causing bogus expansion of the hospital organogram. How would a hospital with multitude of Directors without portfolio function, if efficient patient management is the vision? ALLIGATIONS OF DOUBLE SALARY FOR HONOURARY CONSULTANTS IN HOSPITALS The concepts, bases and philosophy of Honorary Consultants appear to be unclear to some people just as the titles of the leaders are not. These Honorary Consultants are the lecturers of the University that own the teaching hospitals and award degrees to their students. They plan and implement the curricula including evaluation of the programs. These lecturers are the only staff whose promotions are based on research and publication. It is a well known and verifiable fact, that these Honorary consultants receive their only salary from the university, while the Teaching Hospitals merely pay them allowances for the clinical services they render to the hospital in addition to teaching their students. This is the practice all over the world. It is unimaginable how NLC/TUC was convinced by JOHESU to subscribe to the BLATANT LIE that Honorary Consultants receive double salary. APPOINTMENTS AS CMDs AND MDs OF TERTIARY HOSPITALS The view that a Chief Medical Director needs not to be a doctor is absurd. It is also on record that the current arrangement was birthed as a child of necessity having noted the gross incompetence of non-medically qualified personnels (non doctors) to run hospitals taking cognizance of the fact that the hospital is a complex institution that requires a broad view knowledge and experience of workings of the entire medical sector in addition to cognate managerial experience. We call on the entire nation to condemn this fierce, unwarranted and provocative competition for positions, relevance, and leadership roles in the health industry, as the scenario where the leadership of the healthcare delivery team is in perpetual contest will not do anybody any good, and bring to naught all the efforts made so far to improve healthcare delivery in Nigeria. In settings like the private hospitals where doctors are not faced with the suffocating contest for roles and positions, resounding successes and breakthroughs are evident. NMA asks: Why is it that headship crises fail to occur in private, mission and military hospitals where there are respects for hierarchical order? RELATIVITY IN HEALTH SECTOR: It is one of the best global practices that every worker is rewarded according to education, training, skills, job description, and levels of responsibilities as it affects patients management. This is why all over the world, the doctor is the undisputed leader of the health team. We are greatly perturbed that the hierarchical order which promote discipline, efficiency, and accountability is being rudely challenged in our country. Even the much celebrated NIC judgement stated that JOHESU and her members have no basis to be remunerated as doctors, this international best practice is yet to take root in Nigeria health sector. This unique type of disparity called relativity exists in other sector of the economy - Judiciary, Aviation, Armed Forces etc, Doctors have at all times been considerate to all but insist that the global standard MUST be maintained. WAY FORWARD In the circumstance of the continuing industrial quagmire, with the attendant negative consequences on performance of the healthcare sector despite efforts of Government to improve the health indices of our country. The NMA states as follows, 1. That the Federal Government must not succumb to the cheap blackmail of JOHESU and her allies by granting requests that undermine the interest of the Nigerian doctors. 2. Should Government accede to the request that DISTORTS RELATIVITY and other partially corrected injustices meted out to doctors for over 20 years, NMA will have no other option than to stay outside the hospitals till the anomalies are fully corrected including payment of 20years arrears accruing from the years of distortion. 3. That Government should expedite action on proper job evaluation for all cadres of workers and professionals in the health sector according to international standards. 4. In view of the dwindling returns on investments, using scarce resources of the nation due to ever increasing levels of indiscipline, unbridled unionism and gangsterism witnessed in the health sector, NMA advises that Government should scale up public private partnership (PPP) options including outsourcing and concessioning of certain units and services that would be effectively and efficiently managed. 5. That Government should without further delay institute appropriate disciplinary measures according to the provisions of the Public Service Rules, to curb this unfortunate phenomenon of unregulated unionism turned into political activism and gangsterism to the extent of total lack of respect to constituted authority. The earlier this scenario is arrested the better for the nation. 6. We wish to call on other arms of government, the Legislature, Judiciary, MDAs concerned with Establishment matters to do a due diligence and conduct an extensive investigation on issues concerning the health sector, as otherwise upsets the hierarchical structure and certain tradition unique to it. Finally, NMA as a responsible professional body and the custodian of the peoples health, would continue to support the Government as it strives to improve the health of our citizens through committed zeal in the discharge of our duties and constructive engagement even when certain situation arise. We shall at all times identify with progressive policies of Government and be by her side as she wins this war against the emerging perilous emergency-insecurity. Long Live NMA Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria NMA – The Custodian of the People’s Health Dr. Kayode OBEMBE Dr. Adewunmi ALAYAKI President Secretary-General
Posted on: Sat, 24 May 2014 13:57:42 +0000
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