*Warn that members will embark on indefinite strike from 8 a.m on August 10 if FG fails to meet their demands
*Decry slow implementation of agreements reached with govt despite repeated engagements
*Regret that govt has failed to address demands relating to unpaid arrears, welfare, others
*Condemn growing cases of assault, harassment, intimidation, attacks on doctors while on duty
By Patrick Wemambu
Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a fresh nationwide strike notice, warning that its members will embark on an indefinite industrial action from 8:00 a.m. on August 10, if the Federal Government fails to address longstanding demands relating to unpaid arrears, welfare and poor working conditions.
The decision was reached at the end of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Gombe from July 26 to 31, where delegates reviewed the implementation of previous agreements with the Federal Government and assessed challenges confronting the country’s health sector.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, said the council was dissatisfied with what it described as the slow implementation of agreements reached with the government despite repeated engagements over the past several months.
He said the association had extended its strike ultimatum four times in the hope that the outstanding issues would be resolved, but regretted that many of the commitments remained unfulfilled.
Among its key demands, NARD called for the immediate payment of outstanding 25–35 per cent CONMESS salary review arrears, the 19-month professional allowance arrears, promotion arrears and salary arrears owed to doctors in several federal health institutions.
The affected institutions, according to the association, include the University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Okuki; Federal Medical Centre, Owo; Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife; University of Uyo Teaching Hospital; Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri; Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki; Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi; and other federal hospitals.
The association also condemned the growing cases of assault, harassment, intimidation and attacks on doctors and other healthcare workers while on duty, describing the trend as a serious threat to Nigeria’s already overstretched health system.
It urged the Federal Government to establish a National Healthcare Workers Assault Prevention and Response Protocol and called on the National Assembly to enact legislation criminalising attacks on healthcare personnel.
