Massive strike looms as Benue Doctors give Gov Ortom two weeks ultimatum

The Benue State Branch of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA has issued a two week ultimatum to state Governor, Samuel Ortom to pay their colleagues in the Health Management Board, HMB & State Ministry of Health, SMOH their five months emolument or face a total collapse of the health sector in Benue state by the end of this month.


Speaking at a world press conference  today at the new Benue NMA Secretariat in Makurdi, the chairman, Dr Stephen Hwande and other heads of affiliate association namely; Dr Yulham Terfa, President of NAGGMDP Benue, Dr Michael Ijiko, ARD President FMC Makurdi, Dr Gav Terna, President of ARD BSUTH and Dr Berezi Amaitari, Chairman AGPMPN Benue State, stressed that since the state Government has prioritized payments of salaries to those rendering essential services like lecturers of the state-owned University, some health workers, and pensioners, should be included in that category as a financially sick doctor cannot treat patients.

He appealed to well meaning indigenes of the state to prevail on the Governor to end the indefinite strike embarked upon by doctors in the 23 General Hospitals in Benue State & SMOH since July 2nd to avert eminent collapse of the health sector in this rainy season with its attendance prevalence of diseases like malaria, snakebites and assaults from the rampaging Fulani headsmen.

Dr Hwande reiterated that doctors in the state will be left with no option than to force other affiliates to join the strike should the Governor fail to enforce universal applicability in dealing with them in the state civil service as an injury to a doctor is an injury to all.

He urge the state government to come up with health policies that will benefit the people like the Federal Government free cancer treatment as well as provide health insurance for all workers in the state.

Source Benue.info