Also affected, according to NMA chairman, Dr Chris Yilgwan, are ante-natal services usually carried out at the primary health centres run by local health workers.

Yilgwan, who spoke with newsmen in Jos, said immunisation against polio, tuberculosis, hepatitis, measles, pneumonia, tetanus, have been suspended as there are no workers to administer them.

"Generally, the strike, which started seven months ago, is responsible for the deterioration of our health indices in Plateau. The situation is even worse with the absence of routine immunisation and antenatal care at the primary health care level," he said.

He said rural dwellers were the most affected, as according to him many of them were dying of common diseases because of lack of medical attention.

Yilgwan said many women have died of haemorrhage after delivery due to lack of medical attention, while children from age zero to five have been denied routine immunisation to protect them against childhood killer diseases.

He also lamented that children, who were the future of the country, have been out of school for the past seven months due to the labour feud. He stressed that many have been roaming the streets, a situation which is exposing them to various risks such as trafficking, abuse and other social vices.

NAN