Resident doctors commence indefinite strike
Story from Kasim Isa Muhammad
Resident doctors in Nigeria, represented by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), have begun an indefinite strike as of late Tuesday
This was revealed in a statement signed by NARD’s National President, Dr. Innocent Orji, sent via WhatsApp to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja.
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According to the statement the primary demands of the association include the immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), the release of a circular for one-for-one replacement, and the payment of skipping arrears.
Other demands are related to an upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) to restore it to its 2014 value, as well as the payment of arrears of the consequential adjustment of minimum wage to omitted doctors.
Furthermore, the association seeks the reversal of the downgrading of the membership certificate by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
Previously, on July 5, after a virtual Extraordinary National Executive Council Meeting (E-NEC), NARD issued a fresh notice to the Federal Government, giving a two-week ultimatum to meet their demands or face possible industrial disharmony in the health sector.
It could be recalled that this isn’t the first time NARD has taken such action, as the association had embarked on a five-day warning strike on May 17, and later suspended it on May 21, urging the government to address their concerns.
Similarly, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, had urged the resident doctors to suspend the impending strike during a meeting between the House leadership and NARD in Abuja.
He also emphasized that the new administration was still in the process of settling down, with ministers yet to assume office, and expressed confidence in the House’s capacity to intervene and resolve the issues at hand.
