NMA knocks Lagos over doctors’ plight

The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, has
condemned what it described as the
casualisation of doctors by the Lagos State
government.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its
National Executive Council, NEC, meeting in
Jos, the Plateau State capital and made
available to National Mirror, the doctors
described the practice as illegal.

The communiqué which was signed by NMA
president, Dr Lawrence Obembe, said: "The
association condemns in totality the practice
in Lagos State where doctors are employed as
casual workers, the so-called 'contract
appointment'.

"The NMA reiterates that this casualisation of
workers (doctors) below the age of 50 years is
illegal and at variance with the public and
civil service rules."

The communiqué however agreed with the
Federal Government that health insurance is
the best vehicle to universal health coverage,
adding, "It is our view that the presidential
mandate of 30 percent coverage of Nigerians
in NHIS by 2015 is conservative enough. The
challenge now is in the courts of the three
tiers of government to work towards the
institutionalisation of the scheme."

The communiqué also applauded the plan by
Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, to
curb excessive speeding by motorists
through installation of speed limiting device
in commercial vehicles from June next year.

Expressing worry over what it called
incessant vehicular crashes on Nigeria's
highways, the NMA described the move by
the FRSC to commence the installation of
speed limiting device as "a most welcome
idea," and expressed optimism that such a
technology would curb over-speeding and
protect the lives of commuters.

Posted By David Aniemeka