Lagos State Please Pay Our Doctors We Love Them !!!!!

By Chioma Obinna

Members of the Lagos state Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, yesterday appealed to the Lagos State Government to pay up withheld emolument of doctors under the state's employment.

Making the appeal at a press briefing in Lagos, Chairman of the Association, Dr. Tope Ojo expressed worry that the State Government withheld the emoluments of its doctors for the month of August and September 2014 as a result of the July 1 NMA nationwide strike.

Ojo who noted that other states, including the Federal Capital Territory, FCT had complied with the general agreement that led to the suspension of the 55-Day old nationwide strike to pave way for peace and further negotiations regretted that "only Lagos State is yet to comply with the agreements."

The NMA Chairman recalled that the NMA had suspended its strike after series of negotiations with the government and some of its demands were met said: "The sack of resident doctors was reversed and all outstanding emoluments had been paid as agreed which led to the suspension of its strike.

"It is worrisome that till date the Lagos State Government has held on to the emoluments of its doctors for August and September.

"Also, May 2012 salary is being withheld till date inspite of several appeals. This made the State Government the only state that has not complied with the general agreement."

Ojo further argued that the strike action was not at the instance of the Lagos State employed doctors but at the instance of the parent body of the association.

According to him, we do not want to have an impression that the State Government harbours ill feelings against it doctors.

He appealed to Governor Fashola to use his office to facilitate the payment of the withheld emolument of doctors in the employment of the state.