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The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has commenced its planned strike action, following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum.
The leadership of the medical association, on Sunday, directed its members to embark on the strike action, after a breakdown of a series of meetings held with the government on payment of allowances and welfare of doctors.
Recall that NARD had, week ago, announced its decision to embark on the indefinite strike from Monday 15th of June, following the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum given to the Federal Government to address their numerous grievances.
“For purpose of clarity, the demands on which the ultimatum was predicated include the following; Provision of grossly inadequate appropriate Personal Protective Equipment for all Healthcare workers; immediate reversal of the illegal disengagement of all 26 resident doctors in Jos University Teaching Hospital, and the payment of all salaries owed them, in keeping with provisions of the Medical Residency training Act; universal implementation of the Medical Residency Training Act in all Federal and State hospitals and ensuring pay parity among doctors of equal cadre,” the association gave as its reason for the strike action.
“Immediate implementation of the revised Hazard allowance and payment of the COVID-19 inducement allowance as agreed with by the Federal Government and Healthcare Workers 3 months ago; provision of funding for Medical Residency Training in the 2021 Appropriation bill; payment of all arrears owed our members in Federal and States tertiary health institutions, arising from the consequential adjustment of the National minimum wage; stoppage and immediate refund of all illegal, unjust and callous cut in salaries of our members by Kaduna State and other state governments.”
NARD had advised its members working at coronavirus isolation and treatment centres to make alternative arrangements for the care of their patients, “for all services will be withdrawn during the period of the strike, regardless of emergencies”.
But, addressing a press conference in Abuja, Dr Aliyu Sokomba, NARD President, said the union has decided to exempt its members working in various COVID-19 isolation and treatment centers across the country.
