The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to immediately implement all the agreements it had with the Association or it will embark on an indefinite strike.
The Association issued the ultimatum by the NARD in Bauchi on Saturday at the end of its virtual 40th Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) and Scientific Conference.
The NARD 40th OGM was held under the theme: ‘Health inequalities and social determinants of Health in Nigeria’, held at the Multipurpose Hall of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi.
The National President, Dr Sokomba Aliyu, who read the communique at the end of the OGM, lamented that some of its members were intimidated, harassed and maltreated in Lagos, Kaduna, Plateau States and FCT in the cause of performing their duties.
He faulted the sacking of 26 members at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau State in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also faulted the Kaduna State government for slashing the salaries of its members by 25 percent.
Aliyu said, “NARD demands immediate recall of the sacked resident doctors at Jos University Teaching Hospital and payment of their salaries.
“NARD demands immediate implementation of the revised hazard allowance, payment of COVID-19 inducement allowance. NARD condemns all illegal deductions in salaries of our members by some state governments and demands an immediate refund.
“NARD calls on security agencies to stop the harassment and assault of doctors while carrying out their legitimate activities.
“The association hereby issues a 14-day ultimatum to the government to meet her demands failure of which the association cannot guarantee industrial harmony.”
“OGM resolves that urgent steps be taken to ensure that the fate of our members at the State Tertiary Health Institutions be improved through engagement with the various state governments and relevant stakeholders.
The association enjoined the Federal Government through the National Assembly to ensure full capture of the residency training funding in the 2021 Appropriation Act.
It also demanded for payment of arrears of the consequential adjustment of the new minimum wage to it’s members at both Federal and state tertiary health institutions.
The Association condemned what it called “the illegal deductions in salaries” of members by some state governments and demanded for immediate refund.
“NARD observes the slashing of salaries of our members at state tertiary health institutions with particular reference to Kaduna state government that cut the salaries of health workers by twenty five percent.”
It also called on security agencies especially in Lagos, Delta and Abuja to stop the harassment and assault of doctors while carrying out their legitimate activities.
“OGM observes non implementation of the revised hazard allowance, the non procurement of life insurance, non-payment of the death benefits claims and COVID–19 inducement allowance of doctors in various health institutions.
“NARD observes non-payment of arrears of the consequential adjustment of new minimum wage to some of her members.
It also observed with concern, the non-implementation of revised CONMESS and skipping arrears by some state governments in various state tertiary teaching hospitals.
The NARD noted the shortage of medical staff especially resident doctors in most health institutions across the country and called on the government to address the problem.
