Doctors in Edo suspend strike action
By Gabriel Enogholase
BENIN- MEDICAL DOCTORS in Edo state have suspended its two weeks strike action which they had embarked upon to protest against the poor security in the state and the incessant kidnap of their members by unknown gunmen.
The suspension of the strike action was sequel to a meting held by the state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), with the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Bright Omokhodion and other stakeholders in the state on how to resolve what led their grievances.
Following the outcome of the meeting, the state chapter of the NMA Thursday, called an emergency of its members where a decision was taken to suspend the two weeks old strike.
Vanguard learnt that the doctors had demanded a stakeholders’ meeting discussed the state of insecurity and also demanded that military personnel be deployed to the state as it was done in Abia state.
Announcing the suspension of the strike action, the State Chairman, Dr Philip Ugbodaga, Secretary, Emmanuel Ighodaro and the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Kenndy Alohan in a statement said;
“Following a very fruitful interaction with the Edo State House of Assembly in an executive session today, 24th November, 2010, an Emergency meeting of the State Executive Council (SEC) of the Nigerian Medical Association, Edo state Branch was held to review the strike action called by the association to protest the incessant kidnapping of doctors and the general state of insecurity in Edo state”
After very exhaustive and far reaching deliberations, the Nigerian Medical Association resolved as follows: The strike action commenced by the association to protest the insecurity in Edo state is hereby suspended”
“All doctors in Edo state are to resume full clinical duties on Thursday, 25th November, 2010 at 8am. The association expresses its appreciation to the Edo State House of Assembly especially the Speaker, Mr. Bright Omokhodion for its role in the resolution of the strike action.
The association also wishes to commend the Head of Service of Edo state, Dr. Simon Imuekheme and the Hon. Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Momoh for their untiring efforts in bringing an end to the strike action”
“We express our appreciation to all doctors in Edo state for their full support during the strike action.
“Finally, the association hopes that the understanding reached at the meeting with the House will be given full and practical expression in the shortest possible time with a view to improving on the security situation in the state.
