Doctors threaten strike over salary arrears

Medical doctors employed by Abia State Government have threatened to go on strike over 10 months’ salary arrears. The state Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), at the end of its ordinary general meeting, said while Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) doctors are owed 10 months salaries (February to November 2018), their Abia State Health Management Board (HMB) counterparts are owed eight months, aside arbitrary slash in salaries for over three months.

The NMA faulted Finance Commissioner, Mr. Obinna Oriaku for denying that government owes ABSUTH workers salary, claiming that government only gives ABSUTH subvention, which is based on the hospital’s salary wage-bill and has not been paid for 10 months.

In the communiqué signed by its Chairman and Secretary Dr. (Mrs.) Carol Iwuoha and Dr. Umenwa Joachin, the body urged the Commissioner to withdraw his statement and stop misinforming the public.

While it urged government to clear outstanding arrears before the end of December, NMA said it might not guarantee industrial harmony in the state health sector, if the hardship inflicted on its members persists.