The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Saturday
said its members would proceed on total and indefinite strike if
the Federal Government failed to address their demands within 14
days.
The Association stated this in a communique issued at the end of
its virtual 40th Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) and Scientific
Conference.
The communique signed by NARD National President, Dr Sokomba
Aliyu and Publicity Secretary, Dr Egbogu Stanley was made available
to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.
The NARD 40th OGM was held under the theme: ‘Health inequalities
and social determinants of Health in Nigeria.’
NAN reports that the virtual OGM, attended by 74 Chapters of the
association from across the country, deliberated on issues
affecting the nation’s health care system and welfare of its
members.
“NARD calls on the Federal and State governments to provide
adequate personnel protective equipment such as N95 respirators,
gloves etc. to all health workers.
“NARD also demands immediate recall of the sacked resident
doctors at Jos University Teaching Hospital and payments of their
salaries.”
According to the association, 26 resident doctors at the Jos
University Teaching Hospital were illegally disengaged without
recourse to the law governing Residency training.
“The association also demands for universal implementation of
the Residency Training Act in both Federal and State Teaching
hospitals.
“NARD demands immediate implementation of the revised hazard
allowance, and payment of COVID-19 inducement allowance,” the
communique said.
“OGM resolves that urgent steps be taken to ensure that the fate
of our members at the State Tertiary Health Institutions be
improved through engagement with the various state governments and
relevant stakeholders.
The association enjoined the Federal Government through the
National Assembly to ensure full capture of the residency training
funding in the 2021 Appropriation Act.
It also demanded for payment of arrears of the consequential
adjustment of the new minimum wage to it’s members at both Federal
and state tertiary health institutions.
The Association condemned what it called “the illegal deductions
in salaries” of members by some state governments and demanded for
an immediate refund.
“NARD observes the slashing of salaries of our members at state
tertiary health institutions with particular reference to Kaduna
state government that cut the salaries of health workers by twenty
five percent.”
It also called on security agencies especially in Lagos, Delta
and Abuja to stop the harassment and assault of doctors while
carrying out their legitimate activities.
“OGM observes non implementation of the revised hazard
allowance, the non procurement of life insurance, non-payment of
the death benefits claims and COVID- 19 inducement allowance of
doctors in various health institutions.
“NARD observes non-payment of arrears of the consequential
adjustment of new minimum wage to some of her members.
It also observed with concern, the non-implementation of revised
CONMESS and skipping arrears by some state governments in various
state tertiary teaching hospitals.
The NARD noted the shortage of medical staff especially resident
doctors in most health institutions across the country and called
on the government to address the problem.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Saturday
said its members would proceed on total and indefinite strike if
the Federal Government failed to address their demands within 14
days.
The Association stated this in a communique issued at the end of
its virtual 40th Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) and Scientific
Conference.
The communique signed by NARD National President, Dr Sokomba
Aliyu and Publicity Secretary, Dr Egbogu Stanley was made available
to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.
The NARD 40th OGM was held under the theme: ‘Health inequalities
and social determinants of Health in Nigeria.’
NAN reports that the virtual OGM, attended by 74 Chapters of the
association from across the country, deliberated on issues
affecting the nation’s health care system and welfare of its
members.
“NARD calls on the Federal and State governments to provide
adequate personnel protective equipment such as N95 respirators,
gloves etc. to all health workers.
“NARD also demands immediate recall of the sacked resident
doctors at Jos University Teaching Hospital and payments of their
salaries.”
According to the association, 26 resident doctors at the Jos
University Teaching Hospital were illegally disengaged without
recourse to the law governing Residency training.
“The association also demands for universal implementation of
the Residency Training Act in both Federal and State Teaching
hospitals.
“NARD demands immediate implementation of the revised hazard
allowance, and payment of COVID-19 inducement allowance,” the
communique said.
“OGM resolves that urgent steps be taken to ensure that the fate
of our members at the State Tertiary Health Institutions be
improved through engagement with the various state governments and
relevant stakeholders.
The association enjoined the Federal Government through the
National Assembly to ensure full capture of the residency training
funding in the 2021 Appropriation Act.
It also demanded for payment of arrears of the consequential
adjustment of the new minimum wage to it’s members at both Federal
and state tertiary health institutions.
The Association condemned what it called “the illegal deductions
in salaries” of members by some state governments and demanded for
an immediate refund.
“NARD observes the slashing of salaries of our members at state
tertiary health institutions with particular reference to Kaduna
state government that cut the salaries of health workers by twenty
five percent.”
It also called on security agencies especially in Lagos, Delta
and Abuja to stop the harassment and assault of doctors while
carrying out their legitimate activities.
“OGM observes non implementation of the revised hazard
allowance, the non procurement of life insurance, non-payment of
the death benefits claims and COVID- 19 inducement allowance of
doctors in various health institutions.
“NARD observes non-payment of arrears of the consequential
adjustment of new minimum wage to some of her members.
It also observed with concern, the non-implementation of revised
CONMESS and skipping arrears by some state governments in various
state tertiary teaching hospitals.
The NARD noted the shortage of medical staff especially resident
doctors in most health institutions across the country and called
on the government to address the problem.