Despite the threat posed by COVID-19 in Nigeria, the National
Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) said it will commence a
nationwide strike action on Monday, June 15 to press home its
demands.
In a statement on Monday, the National President, NARD, Dr Aliyu
Sokomba, said federal government’s unwillingness to address its
concerns had resulted in the the association’s decision to commence
the indefinite industrial action.
He said: “Consequent upon the 14 days ultimatum duly served the
federal government for indefinite strike action, in accordance with
the resolution of the ordinary general meeting of the association
on May 29, 2020, we hereby notify you that all resident doctors,
medical officers below the rank of Principal Medical Officer (PMO)
and House Officers across all the federal and state hospitals in
Nigeria, shall be embarking on a total and indefinite strike action
effective 12:01am on Monday, 15th June 2020.
“It is important that you make alternative arrangements for the
care of the patients as the strike shall be total and indefinite.
No service of any kind, be it emergency, care at COVID-19 isolation
and treatment centres shall be exempted. We sympathize with the
patients and Nigerian populace.”
He said for the purpose of clarity, the demands on which the
ultimatum was predicated include the provision of grossly
inadequate appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 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, adding that this was in
keeping with the provisions of the Medical Residency Training
Act.
He said: “It also includes the universal implementation of the
Medical Residency Training Act in all federal and state hospitals
and ensuring pay parity among doctors of equal cadre; 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 three months ago; and 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.”
He also emphasised that the demand includes stoppage and
immediate refund of all illegal, unjust and ‘callous’ cut in
salaries of its members by Kaduna State Government.
Despite the threat posed by COVID-19 in Nigeria, the National
Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) said it will commence a
nationwide strike action on Monday, June 15 to press home its
demands.
In a statement on Monday, the National President, NARD, Dr Aliyu
Sokomba, said federal government’s unwillingness to address its
concerns had resulted in the the association’s decision to commence
the indefinite industrial action.
He said: “Consequent upon the 14 days ultimatum duly served the
federal government for indefinite strike action, in accordance with
the resolution of the ordinary general meeting of the association
on May 29, 2020, we hereby notify you that all resident doctors,
medical officers below the rank of Principal Medical Officer (PMO)
and House Officers across all the federal and state hospitals in
Nigeria, shall be embarking on a total and indefinite strike action
effective 12:01am on Monday, 15th June 2020.
“It is important that you make alternative arrangements for the
care of the patients as the strike shall be total and indefinite.
No service of any kind, be it emergency, care at COVID-19 isolation
and treatment centres shall be exempted. We sympathize with the
patients and Nigerian populace.”
He said for the purpose of clarity, the demands on which the
ultimatum was predicated include the provision of grossly
inadequate appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 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, adding that this was in
keeping with the provisions of the Medical Residency Training
Act.
He said: “It also includes the universal implementation of the
Medical Residency Training Act in all federal and state hospitals
and ensuring pay parity among doctors of equal cadre; 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 three months ago; and 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.”
He also emphasised that the demand includes stoppage and
immediate refund of all illegal, unjust and ‘callous’ cut in
salaries of its members by Kaduna State Government.