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The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD has declared an indefinite strike.
NARD embarked on the strike due to the federal government's failure to meet their demands.
Dr Emeka Orji, the president of NARD, announced the decision on Tuesday, stating that the strike will begin on Wednesday morning, July 26, 2023.
The decision to go on strike was reached collectively by NARD NEC members during a meeting held in Lagos on Tuesday.
Among the major demands put forth by NARD is the immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), the release of the circular on one-for-one replacement, payment of skipping arrears, and an upward review of CONMESS to restore salaries to their 2014 value.
Dr Orji expressed the association's frustration, stating, "We have also been talking about the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) for 2023, which was captured in the budget, but up till now has not been released. We have also been requesting an upward review of the consolidated medical salary structure."
He further explained, "What we are asking for is full salary restoration because we know that inflation, exchange rate increment, and fuel price have eroded the value of our salaries since 2014."
In addition to the aforementioned demands, NARD is also seeking the payment of arrears of consequential adjustment of minimum wages to the omitted doctors, the reversal of the downgrading of the membership certificate by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), payment of MRTF, new hazard allowance, skipping, and the implementation of corrected CONMESS in State Tertiary Health Institutions. They are also demanding the payment of omitted hazard allowance arrears.
Despite efforts to resolve the issue, including a request for a two-week grace period from NARD by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, no agreement has been reached with the government, leading to the commencement of the strike.
The association has also raised concerns about the long working hours and burnout of its members due to the relocation of many of its colleagues.
As the strike commences, the government is faced with the challenge of addressing the demands of the resident doctors and finding a resolution to end the industrial action and ensure the provision of essential medical services to the public.
