title: Medical Dominance and Resistance in Nigeria's Health Care System.
abstract: The health care system in Nigeria remains topical because of concerns over unremitting health outcomes, such as maternal and infant mortalities and frequent epidemic outbreaks, and more recently because of regular strikes by health workers. The strikes arise mostly from disputes between medical doctors and other health workers over a range of issues, including salary levels and emoluments, leadership of teaching hospitals, and appointment of the Minister of Health. Other health workers, who allege that doctors are favored in the system, have formed Joint Health Sector Unions to confront the doctors. Both groups have frequently engaged in strikes such that, within the past decade, there has always been a strike or the threat of a strike, a situation that causes disruption of health care services. Two presidential commissions have been instituted, to no avail. With the allegations of favoritism, only government even-handedness in more carefully delineating the areas of inclusion and exclusion in accordance with available legislations may stem the rising tide. Until solutions agreeable to both parties are found, the health system and the Nigerian people will continue to suffer frustrations of avoidable disruption of services.
authors: 1 Department of Sociology, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.
authors: Ogoh
authors: O
authors: Alubo
authors: 1 Department of Sociology, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.
authors: Vitalis
authors: V
authors: Hunduh
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003253:Consultants; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000592:standards; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria; D010820:Physicians / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D011057:Politics; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits; D013317:Strikes, Employee / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*
keywords: conflicts; health team rivalry; strikes by health workers in Nigeria