By VICTORIA OJEME

ABUJA—Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, has condemned last week’s protest by health workers under the umbrella of the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, saying it was politically-motivated.

The health workers had protested from the Federal Secretariat to the National Assembly, and demanded, among others, the immediate sack of Health Minister, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, who they accused of bias in favour of doctors at the expense of other health workers.

NMA President, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, told newsmen in Abuja, yesterday, after the meeting of NMA’s National Executive Council, NEC, that health workers were being used to scuttle the passage of the Health Bill.

He said: “NEC observed with great dismay the recent reckless, selfish and ill-motivated protest march (in Abuja) against the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu by a handful of allied medical and health professionals/workers.

“NEC viewed the politically-motivated protest march as an act of desperation and blackmail to undermine the strong resolve of the Minister of Health to transform Nigeria’s health care sector.”