NIC adjourns doctors, FG’s suit till Oct. 13

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The National Industrial Court has adjourned the case between the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Health over the agreement reached between the Joint Health Sector Unions and the Federal Government till October 13.

Both JOHESU and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations have filed applications seeking to be joined in the suit, while the defendants- the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Ministry of Labour and the Attorney-General of the Federation have also filed their respective memorandum of appearance.

The restraining order against the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour and the AGF continues to subsist until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

THE PUNCH recalls that the Incorporated Trustees of MDCAN had, in the suit number NICN/ABJ/177/2014, asked the NIC to restrain the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity and AGF from implementing, executing, carrying out or giving effect to the decisions, resolutions and agreements that were reached at a meeting that was held in Abuja between JOHESU and government on June 5, 2014.

The President of MDCAN, Dr. Steven Oluwole, had deposed to an affidavit challenging the agreements reached between the Federal Government and JOHESU.

The MDCAN went to court to challenge the implementation of a circular recently released by the government, following the agitation of JOHESU, which among others, provides for the approval of consultancy positions for support staff; abolition of the Deputy Chairman Medical Advisory Committee position and appointment of support staff as Directors.

Other aspects of the agreement include referral of the elimination of medical teachers from eligibility for headship of teaching hospitals; and re-interpretation of "medically qualified," which is a key phrase in the University Teaching Hospital Act to the Yayale Ahmed Committee.

Justice M.N. Esowe had in his judgment ordered all parties in the case to "maintain the status quo in order to preserve the res of the matter."

He had issued an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants/respondents, either by themselves or by their agents, servants, agencies, privies or by any group or organisation acting for them from implementing, executing, carrying out or giving effect to the decisions, resolution and agreements that were reached at a meeting that was held in Abuja.

The judge said, "This means that none of the parties shall proceed to do any act in furtherance of any agreement reached by the parties, which arguments from the kernel or subject matter of this motion before the court.

"Nobody or party in this case shall embark on any strike action until the Motion on Notice, which is already filed in this court, is heard and determined. This matter is now adjourned till July 10, 2014 for the hearing and determination of the Motion of Notice."

PUNCH.



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