Imminent collapse of health services nationwide looms following a threat by doctors under the auspices of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, to withdraw their services from public health institutions as from December 14.
Giving notice of the development yesterday in a statement entitled Countdown to Expiration of the December 14, 2013 Deadline, NMA President, Dr. Osahon Enebulele, said it had become necessary for the association to take the step following what he described as “apparent levity and lack of concrete commitment” by the Federal Government.
The statement, which alleged that government was insensitive to the plight of doctors, urged Nigerians to hold the Minister of Health responsible for any crisis that erupts in the health sector.
In the statement, it was alleged that for over five months NMA had recurrently engaged the Federal Government through the Ministry of Health, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on issues bordering on challenges faced by doctors.
Further, the statement explained that on September 2 NMA issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria to address the issues tabled by the association.
It will be recalled that NMA had earlier extended its ultimatum twice.
