By Daniel Agbo
Makurdi
Following the expiration of the seven-day warning industrial action, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Benue state chapter, yesterday declared an indefinite strike for doctors working in government hospitals.
A statement jointly signed by the state chairman of NMA, Dr. Obekpa I. Obekpa, and Secretary, Dr. Nwaeze Chukwuemeka, also referred five of their members to disciplinary committee over what they described as “their subversive role in the course of the warning strike.”
The members are the Medical Director Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Makurdi, Dr Peteru Inunduh, Benue state Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Cecilia Ojabo, Chief Medical Director, Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, Dr. Terlumun Swende, Deputy Head of Clinical Services, FMC, Makurdi, Dr Ochiefa N Matthew, and the chairman of Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), FMC, Makurdi, Dr. Nombur L Isaac.
The doctors said their decision to embark on indefinite strike action was due to failure of the state government and management of FMC Makurdi to meet the demands of the doctors.
The statement also read in part: “The strike action continues indefinitely until all demands are satisfactorily met. Congress expressed gross dissatisfaction on the role of some of her members in the course of the warning strike and therefore referred them to her disciplinary committee for necessary action.
“Congress passed a vote of confidence on the current executives of NMA and salute the patience and understanding of her members in the face of insincerity, intimidation and harassment on the part of the management of FMC Makurdi and Benue state government.”
