Deborah Onyofufeke, Abuja
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has lamented the appalling way in which successive governments have taken the reputable profession from the lofty heights of nobility to nothingness through neglect and possible disdain for the health sector.

Speaking at a press briefing yesterday in Abuja to mark the 2022 Physician’s Week, NMA President, Dr Uche Ojinmah, accused the Federal Government of foot-dragging in the implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), warning that the civility of NMA members should not be taken for granted

He reiterated that the association is patiently waiting for the 2023 presidential candidates to roll out their plans for the health sector before it chooses its preferred choice among the contestants.

He stressed that it would only support presidential candidates whose blueprint in the health sector addresses the nation’s current health challenges and are in line with the United Nations’ recommended standards.

He also added that the era of blind loyalty was over while he called on state governments to desist from slashing the salaries of medical personnel or paying it piecemeal at the governments’ convenience without interest.

He said, “The era of blind loyalty is over. Let us all patiently wait to hear the plans of the presidential candidates for Nigeria, especially in the Health sector before pitching our political support tent.

“Let me inform you all that the Nigerian doctor is poorly paid, overworked, lack necessary work tools, and has become a target for kidnap.

“We as Nigerian doctors have been taken from the lofty heights of nobility to nothingness by the neglect and possible disdain for the health sector by successive governments.

“The penchant of state governments for seizing or slashing our salaries and paying it piecemeal at their convenience without interest has become a subject of folklore and hence cannot be allowed to continue.

“On the need to review CONMESS, let me inform you that the ball is now in the court of the government and they are foot-dragging.

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“Let no one take our civility for weakness as we shall do all within limits of legality to protect the interest of the Nigerian doctor while the Government continues in their “search” for obvious reasons behind medical brain drain.

“It is a heartbreaking situation for Nigerian doctors because the review of CONMESS has been due since 2014 based on the 2009 Collective Bargaining Agreement we signed with the Government which stipulated a review after five years.

“We hereby call on all well-meaning citizens and statesmen to intervene now and not blame doctors later.”

Ojinmah enjoined the federal government to as a matter of national importance, declare emergency action in the nation’s health sector for the sake of its citizens.

He explained that the NMA shelved this year’s physicians’ week national opening ceremony and razzmatazz as a result of the massive flood affecting Bayelsa and some other states of Nigeria with attendant loss of human lives and properties which he noted had dampened the mood of the nation.