LASG Don’t Want To Dialogue With The Medical Guild Over Striking Doctors – NMA

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has urged Lagos State Government to tackle the demands of the striking doctors, under the aegis of Medical Guild, as soon as possible.

The NMA revealed this via a recent statement jointly signed by Dr. Adenekan Adetunji and Dr. Ramon Moronkola, the Lagos State Chairman and Secretary of the association respectively.

According to the association, even if the efforts of LASG in responding to the demands of the press release are noteworthy, using the wrong languages in their recent press release is making it seem like the state is not willing to dialogue with the Medical Guild.

He added that the state government must know that words are powerful and must be used carefully.

NMA leaders said, “We are aware of the extension of the ultimatum set by the Medical Guild for the LASG to address its demands.

“Indeed, we were optimistic that the window would be explored by both parties to critically and dispassionately address the demands of the Medical Guild.

“Sadly, that was not the case.”

“It is, however, curious that the same strike elicited a rather robust response from the LASG in the form of a press release.

“Why was the two weeks window not explored for robust engagements with the Medical Guild in order to avert this avoidable disruption of the healthcare system in the state?

“While the efforts of LASG in responding to the demands of the press release are noteworthy, the use of unflattering language in the said release betrays an intention to antagonise rather than seek to dialogue with the Medical Guild.

“Words are powerful which makes the careful use of it imperative.”

““The hitherto goodwill enjoyed by the LASG among its doctors was seriously damaged by reports of the unceremonious disengagement of doctors working in isolation centres and their summary eviction from their hotel accommodation.

“This was done without thoughts to the danger they might constitute to their loved ones, if they returned home without being properly screened for COVID-19.

“This is just one of the several grievances of the Medical Guild.”

“While we do not wish for an escalation of the ongoing dispute in order not to jeopardise the healthcare of Lagos people, we however, have, as stated above, obligations to the Medical Guild.”