NMA gives Abia govt 21-day ultimatum over unpaid salaries

The Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Abia State government to clear the backlog of salary arrears owed doctors in its employ or the entire health sector would be shut down.

NMA vowed that doctors in the state both in public and private hospitals, would proceed on total and indefinite strike action if government failed to meet its demand before the expiration of the ultimatum.

This was contained in a letter that NMA addressed to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, a copy of which was sighted by Vanguard in Umuahia.

The letter jointly signed by the NMA Chairman, Dr Isaiah Abali; and Secretary, Dr Daniel Ekeleme, decried the plight of doctors in the state’s employ following months of unpaid wages.

NMA urged the State Government to do the needful “in finding an acceptable solution before the expiration of this notice to avoid a total collapse of the entire health institution in the state.”