The FCT Chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA-FCT) has urged the federal government to reconsider its “no work, no pay” proposed policy for medical workers, saying the act will further destroy the sector.
The call by the association was made in collaboration with the Nasarawa and Kogi chapters at a news conference on Sunday in Abuja to usher in the 2023 annual general meeting and scientific conference of the NMA.
Charles Ugwuanyi, the NMA chair in Abuja, condemned the proposed policy by the Federal Government, which took the decision following the National Association of Residents Doctors strike.
According to Mr Ugwuanyi, if the government continues with the plan, it will further encourage the perceived healthcare challenge of the dearth of doctors, where most have already moved out of the country.
He said the resident doctors were demanding its rights, encouraging the doctors willing to continue to work for the country to stay.
According to him, Nigeria has less than 25,000 registered and practising doctors, stressing that the government must find a way to encourage doctors to stay in the country.
The NMA-FCT chair also called on governments at different levels to take the safety of workers seriously.