Resident doctors threaten strike over unpaid entitlements

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has threatened to embark on industrial action if its demands are not met by the Federal Government within two weeks.

NARD made this known via a communique jointly signed by its President Dare Ishaya, Secretary General, Suleiman Abiodun, and Publicity and Social Secretary, Alfa Yusuf, a copy of which was made available to newsmen on Saturday at the end of its National Executive Council meeting and Scientific Conference in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

The demands of the association include the implementation of the new minimum wage, hazard allowance, and other approved funds for its members.

The communique read in part: “The NEC observed with dismay the unnecessary delay in the new Hazard Allowance for over seven months since its approval on December 22, 2021.

“Also observed is the delay in the payment of the 2020 Medical Residency Training Fund to our members who were omitted despite several efforts made by the association.

“The NEC noted that several years after the implementation of a New Minimum Wage in 2019, some of our members are yet to benefit from the consequential adjustment of the minimum wage.

“As the 2023 Appropriation bill is being prepared, the NEC calls for increased funding of the healthcare sector in the country to the tune of 15 per cent budgetary allocation in line with the 2001 Abuja declaration for healthcare financing in Africa and global best practices.

“The NEC urges the Federal Government to take steps towards curtailing the brain drain in the health sector and find ways of eliminating all bureaucratic bottlenecks in the employment and replacement of the resident doctors, leaving our institutions daily to seek greener pastures.

“The NEC shall by the expiration of the two-week ultimatum, reconvene to review the progress made so far and take further actions for which the nationwide industrial harmony may not be guaranteed,” the doctors stated.

NARD further enjoined the Federal Government and state governments to look into the issue of assault on doctors and thoroughly investigate the ongoing cases and put measures in place to halt the menace in the bid to forestall future occurrences.

The doctors equally called on the Federal Government, the Nigerian Governor’s Forum, stakeholders, and well-meaning Nigerians to “prevail on the Governors of Imo (10 months), Ondo (5 months), Ekiti (3 months) and Gombe (2 months) states to urgently pay arrears of salaries and allowances owed our members in the state Tertiary Health Institutions as stated above, as this is becoming embarrassing.

“The NEC, especially appreciates the Governors of Delta, Benue, Lagos states, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and once more, the Governor of Nassarawa State for their efforts in the adoption/domestication of the Medical Residency Training Act (MRTA) 2017 and also payment of Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to Resident Doctors under their employ,” NARD added.

The Star