Doctors in government hospitals under the aegis of NMA had been on a nationwide strike since July 1 over alleged breach of agreement reached by both parties.
The association said information reaching its secretariat revealed that if the proposal sailed through, soldiers would be drafted to secure all the medical institutions while para-military medical professionals would be deployed to perform the role of doctors.
The President of MDCAN, Dr. Steve Oluwole, in a statement obtained by The PUNCH in Abuja on Monday, wondered whether the replacements would be better alternatives to doctors.
He said, "The attention of the MDCAN has been drawn to the purported plan of the Federal Government to take drastic steps to end the current NMA strike. Unnamed government officials have told us that the government is considering the proscription of the NMA.
"In the event that the Federal Government tows this course of action, the military will be deployed to guard the medical institutions with military and paramilitary medical professionals rendering services in the mean time.
"All public health institutions will be privatised. Then, the 'no work no pay' principle will be enforced; doctors who are interested will be protected to resume duties while new ones will be employed to take their place."
Oluwole cited a recent interview credited to the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, on the position of government regarding the current crisis, saying the comments "give credibility to rumours and threats of proscription."
He said Chukwu was quoted to have used expressions such as "we do not want to take drastic steps…"; "… there are things government can do to have its way by force"; "… declare positions of those on strike vacant, and replace them with unemployed and retired doctors …".
But the Special Assistant (Media and Communication) to the Minister of Health, Mr. Dan Nwomeh, however, said proscription of NMA was not in government's agenda.
He said government was interested in "ensuring that the issues behind the doctors' strike are resolved amicably."
Nwomeh said the government "has fulfilled part of its bargain with the NMA and was expecting the NMA to call off the strike in the interest of Nigerians."
PUNCH
Thanks
