The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to prioritise the welfare of Nigerians by immediately reversing the hike in the price of petrol.
NMA, Lagos chapter, in a statement signed by its chairman, Saheed Kehinde, warned that the recent hike in petrol prices would exacerbate depression rates, hospital admissions related to stress-induced medical conditions, social unrest, and even mortality among Nigerians.
The body expressed concern over the sudden increase in petrol prices by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), describing it as a “unilateral decision” that imposes further hardship on Nigerians.
The statement reads in part: “This unilateral decision has imposed further unbearable hardship on Nigerians, including our members, medical and dental doctors, who are already grappling with severe economic challenges and insecurity.
“Many of these members are being forced to leave the country in droves due to the dismal economic situation, and this recent development will only exacerbate the already dire circumstances they face”.
On Tuesday NNPC retail outlets adjusted the pump price to N855 and N897 per litre, depending on the location, from the previous N568 and N617. Others have also adjusted their pump prices, in some instances above N900 per litre.
