In the heat of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have issued threats to commence an ‘indefinite strike’ on Thursday if the Nigerian government is unable to meet their demands.
The president of the association, Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, established the development in a communique issued at the end of the NARD’s extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting which held on Saturday.
According to the president of the association, the ultimatum given to the federal government to meet its earlier demands would become obsolete on March 31, 2021 with no significant achievement.
“The NEC unanimously agreed that NARD should proceed on a total and indefinite strike on the 1st of April 2021, by 8 am if the demands are not met,” Mr Okhuaihesuyi said.
Currently, resident doctors, who are undergoing training to become consultants, make up a majority of doctors in Nigeria’s tertiary hospitals.
Demands
A few of the demands made by the doctors are; payment of all salaries arrears, review of the current hazard allowance to 50 per cent of consolidated basic salaries of all health workers and payment of the outstanding COVID-19 inducement allowance especially in state-owned tertiary Institutions.
“Immediate payment of all salary arrears including March salaries for our members in all Federal and State Tertiary Health Institutions across the country especially ASUTH, IMSUTH and UNIMEDTH,” the president said.
“Upward review of the current hazard allowance to 50 per cent of consolidated basic salaries of all health workers and payment of the outstanding COVID-19 inducement allowance especially in State owned-tertiary Institutions.
“Payment of death in service insurance for all health workers who died as a result of COVID-19 infection or other infectious diseases in the country.”
