Doctors strike: N13bn arrears not captured in 2014 Budget – FG

Federal Government yesterday explained that the N13 billion needed to settle the arrears of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, was not captured in the 2014 budget.
Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala disclosed this before the House Committee on Health at the resumed hearing of the stakeholders meeting on how to resolve the doctors strike.
Okonjo-Iweala hinted that government could only pay two out of the 12 months, adding that the balance would be paid in 2015.
Represented by the director-general, Budget Office, Dr Bright Okogu, the minister pleaded with the striking doctors to reason with government and accept the two months offer, assuring that the rest would be paid in due course.
“Reflecting the balance in the 2015 is the best thing to do. I assure that the first installment will be paid by end of August. The amount paid on wages in the country is too high and eating into capital budget.” Okonjo-Iweala pointed out.
Okonjo-Iweala, however, said she would not advocate for outright privatisation of the health sector.
Minister of State for Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan said that the government had amended the contentious circular in line with the doctors demands.
The House Committee chairman on Health, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu said the leadership of the House was discussing the matter with President Goodluck Jonathan on how to end the lingering strike.
Nigerian Pilot recalls that NMA embarked on an indefinite strike on July 1 following the expiration of a two-week ultimatum it gave the federal government to meet its 24-point demand.