Resident doctors under the umbrella of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have commenced an indefinite nationwide industrial action after the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum issued to the Government to meet their demands.
The decision according to the union became necessary following the failure of series of meetings between the doctors and the Federal Government in the last two weeks to resolve the lingering industrial disputes, which include the non-payment of special allowances for the resident doctors.
The National Executive Council, NEC of NARD, after virtual extra-ordinary deliberation of the council on Sunday, which lasted for 6 hours, resolved to proceed with the nationwide strike.
During a press conference in Abuja on Monday, President of NARD, Dr. Aliyu Sokomba, while announcing the strike said the union is exempting its members engaged in various coronavirus (COVID-19) isolation and treatment centres across the country from the strike for two weeks after which they will join in.
The union also decried the deplorable state of hospitals and the lack of protective equipment for members of the union treating COVID-19 patients, which is exposing many of their colleagues to the virus resulting in some deaths.
According to Dr. Sokomba, 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 are expected to join the strike.
Other demands by the union include; requests for alternative arrangements for the care of patients, including those at the COVID-19 isolation centres as its members there would join the industrial action in two weeks’ time.
Provision of adequate PPE for all healthcare workers and immediate reversal of the disengagement of all 26 resident doctors at the University Teaching Hospital in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
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