As the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) prepares to begin a nationwide strike on Wednesday, July 23, some residents of Abakaliki are raising concerns about the potential impact on healthcare services.
They are calling on the Federal Government to act swiftly and take necessary steps to avert the looming industrial action.
The NMA had issued a 21-day ultimatum to the government over unmet demands, warning earlier in the week that its members would embark on a national strike if their grievances remain unresolved.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, residents expressed concern over the devastating impact such a strike could have on vulnerable citizens, especially those dependent on public hospitals.
Mr Obinna Okechukwu, a civil servant, said the strike would cause serious hardship, particularly for families with patients admitted in federal health institutions.
“It will not be a good development for doctors or any health professionals to strike under the current economic hardship.
“I urge the government to urgently dialogue with the NMA to find a lasting solution,” he said.
Similarly, Mr Philips Arukwe, whose brother is currently admitted at the Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital (AE-FUTH), pleaded with both parties to reconsider their stance for the sake of ordinary Nigerians.
“Most people cannot afford private healthcare. If the strike goes ahead, patients like my brother will be abandoned.
“I beg the government and the doctors to consider the plight of the masses,” he said.
Mrs Ifeoma Onwe, a nursing mother, appealed directly to President Bola Tinubu to treat the matter as a national emergency and prioritise the healthcare sector.
“As the father of the nation, the President should do all he can to prevent the strike.
“Public hospitals need proper funding to provide uninterrupted services, especially for those who can’t afford private clinics,” she said.
Residents also warned that persistent disruptions in public healthcare services could push desperate citizens to seek help from unqualified medical practitioners, with potentially dangerous consequences.
NAN reports that the NMA President Dr Bala Audu recently revealed that earlier talks with top government officials stalled following the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He also confirmed the association’s rejection of a recent circular from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), which proposed a revised allowance for medical and dental officers.
The NMA has continued to push for improved welfare, better salary structures, and enhanced allowances for its members.
The association insists that the federal government must take its demands seriously to avoid further disruption in the country’s fragile healthcare system
