A chieftain of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA in Abia state, Sir Chikwe Udensi has condemned non-payment of salary arrears to doctors in Abia state under the aegis of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA saying it is a display of insensitivity by the PDP-led administration in the state.
Responding to a threat by NMA members in the state to shut down all medical services if their backlog of salaries are not paid before December 8 during his appearance of Love FM’s Open Parliament in Umuahia monitored by ABN TV, Sir Udensi a governorship aspirant in Abia appealed to the government to take appropriate measures to avert another round of strike by doctors.
According to him, over 4000 pensioners in the state have lost their lives in conditions related to hunger and lack of medical care, saying a strike by the doctors will worsen the situation.
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He stated that adequate medical attention for aging persons is a necessity, which he said is lacking in the state because of inability of the government to carry out its obligations to pensioners and the doctors themselves.
Sir Udensi also decried the effects of non-payment of salaries to doctors on their families, calling on Abia government to display concern.
He also called on the wife of the Abia State Governor, to speak up and advise the governor to be more proactive in the discharge of his duty regarding the payment of salaries and pensions.
He described as wicked and evil the alleged refusal of the government to pay doctors for about 25 months.
He insisted that someone must be held accountable in government to serve as a deterrent to others who may want to enrich themselves at the expense of the masses.
