The National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria will commence a nationwide strike on Monday, June 15, 2020.
Dr
Aliyu Sokomba, National President of NARD, said this in an official
letter with reference number NARD/SG/2019-2020/070620/246.
Sokomba
said the association found it necessary to take “the painful decision”
following the inability of the government to meet its demands.
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 the
29th of May 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.
“For
purpose of clarity, the demands on which the ultimatum was predicated
include the following; Provision of grossly inadequate appropriate
Personal Protective Equipment 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,
in keeping with provisions of the Medical Residency Training Act.“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.“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.“Stoppage and immediate refund of all illegal,
unjust and callous cut in salaries of our members by Kaduna State and
other state governments.”
