BUHARI MEETS NMA AS DOCTORS' STRIKE ENTERS DAY 40

The president, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), met with members of the Nigeria Medical Association at the State House, Abuja on Friday.

The meeting is coming 40 days after the National Association of Resident Doctors declared. an indefinite strike.

The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Health, Dr. Dragie Ehanire, Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige, and Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora.

During the meeting, Buhari asked the health workers to return to their duty posts, urging others contemplating strikes to opt for settlement of issues by negotiation, no matter how long it takes.

"The lives of citizens that could be lost or damaged when doctors withdraw services, are precious enough to be worth opting for peaceful resolution of differences," the President noted, according to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

Buhari said the outstanding issue of an Establishment circular issued by the Head of Service, removing House officers, NYSC Doctors from scheme of service had an addendum circular from National Salaries and Wages Commission to clarify that they will continue to earn the wages attached to them on their present wage structure.

"I request that the agreement reached in the meetings of 20th and 21st August captured in the MOU which I have seen be religiously implemented," he added.

To further improve the health sector, the president said budgetary allocations had been increased and a Health Sector Reform Committee, under the Chairmanship of the Vice President, had been commissioned to identify and address weaknesses in the Health System and align with global best practices that raise public confidence.

"We are also supporting initiatives to expand health insurance coverage and bring more resources to health financing."

"We have many more challenges ahead and much more to do, for our large population."