- Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) considers legal action over government proposal to bar healthcare personnel from taking leave
- NMA President, Dr. Uche Ojinmah, questions rationale behind government’s directive, emphasizes equitable treatment and addresses underlying issues compelling healthcare professionals to leave
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has issued a stern warning, expressing intentions to initiate legal proceedings against the federal government’s proposal to prohibit healthcare practitioners from taking leave of absence.
Leave of absence, commonly understood as an extended break from work, often sought for purposes such as advanced studies abroad, stands at the core of this contentious issue.
Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Health, recently announced the government’s stance, insisting that healthcare professionals desiring to pursue opportunities overseas must resign before embarking on such journeys.
According to Dr. Uche Ojinmah, President of the NMA, who voiced his concerns on Channels TV, the government’s rationale behind this ban faces intense scrutiny.
Dr. Ojinmah stressed the equality of treatment, arguing that healthcare workers, being integral to public service, merit equivalent benefits, including the right to leave of absence.
He remarked, “Is a healthcare worker not a public servant? The principle of fairness dictates that they should enjoy the same privileges as other civil servants. Restricting their access to opportunities abroad seems unjustifiable.”
In response to the government’s stance, Dr. Ojinmah hinted at legal recourse, underscoring the importance of equitable treatment within the democratic framework.
He concluded, “In a democracy, every citizen deserves fair treatment. Should the need arise, legal action remains a viable option to uphold our rights.”