NMA cancels plan to withdraw services in hospitals

Contrary to its earlier position to withdraw services in all Federal Government – owned hospitals should President Goodluck Jonathan fail to revert to N65.00 per litre of fuel by yesterday, (Friday 13th January), the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, says it will no longer withdraw its services in view of the casualties and deaths reported from various protest sites.

In a statement jointly signed by the National President of NMA, Dr Omede Idris and National Secretary, Dr Bala Audu, the medical doctors restated that NMA continues to align with the demands for the reversal of the pump price of fuel which was ill-timed.

“In view of casualties that have been reported from various protest sites including death, there is obvious need to continue rendering emergency services in our health facilities”.

Idris called on the Federal Government at the moment to forestall further loses in any form by reverting to the N65:00 per litre to allow for further discussions and negotiations.

His words: “We call on the Federal Government at this moment to forestall further loses in any form by reverting to the N65:00 per litre of fuel in line with the request of NLC/TUC/Civil Society organizations, professional associations including NBA and NMA; and the voices/intervention of the Senate and House of Representatives all on behalf of majority of Nigerians to allow for further discussions/negotiations.

Government should thus, reverse this action and prevent avoidable stress and strain on the good people of Nigeria”.

He recommended that government should be prudent and reduce cost of governance, make the refineries functional, ensure accountability with verifiable audit in all sectors, tackle monumental corruption in the downstream sector of Oil and Gas operations and other sectors of the economy.
He further added that the NMA will stand with, by and behind the Nigerian people in what he described as “genuine and legitimate demands”.

It would be recalled that on 6th January,2012 Nigerian Medical Association held a press conference on “increase in pump price of fuel by the Federal Government of Nigeria” threatening to withdraw it services by Friday 13th if the Federal Government refuses to revert the pump price of fuel. (Vanguard)