Nigerian Medical Association Suspends 25-Day Strike, Doctors to Return to Work

The Ogun State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has suspended its 25-day strike, citing the hardship faced by patients during the strike period. The decision was made after an emergency general meeting held between August 27 and August 29, 2024, in Abeokuta.

According to the chairman of the association, Dr. Ogunjimi Luqman, the strike was halted for four weeks to allow for amicable negotiations with the state government. Luqman stated that the decision was made to create room for meaningful discussions and negotiations with the state government.

The strike, which began in response to the state government’s failure to implement the reviewed Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) wage, has been ongoing since August 7, 2024. The CONMESS wage has been in effect for federal medical workers since June 2023.

Luqman announced that doctors will return to their duties at 8 am on Monday, September 2, 2024. The association plans to reconvene on September 30, 2024, to evaluate the situation and decide on further actions based on the government’s response.

The NMA chairman emphasized the severity of the situation, saying that the association hopes the state administration will seize this chance to fix the challenges at hand. He added that the government must meet the association’s demands and avoid further industrial disharmony.

"We have opted to suspend the strike for four weeks to allow for meaningful discussions and negotiations with the state government," Luqman stated. "We hope that the state administration will seize this chance to fix the challenges at hand."

The suspension of the strike is a welcome relief for patients in Ogun State, who have been affected by the disruption in medical services. The NMA’s decision to suspend the strike and return to negotiations with the state government is a positive step towards resolving the issue and ensuring that medical services are restored to normal.