Resident doctors mobilise for nationwide protest
Written by Adeola Ibrahim on August 8, 2023
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors said its members have been mobilised for the nationwide protest that will take place on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, if the Federal Government fails to meet its demands.
This was even as the association said there has not been an official meeting with the government since its declaration for the protest.
NARD had on Saturday said it would embark on peaceful protests from Wednesday and picket the Federal Ministry of Health, the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, and the federal and state tertiary health institutions in the country.
NARD embarked on an indefinite strike on July 26, 2023, following the expiration of a two-week ultimatum it issued to the government to meet its demands.
The doctors are demanding the implementation of the one-for-one replacement policy for healthcare workers; the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to discontinue the downgrading of the membership certificate issued by the West African Postgraduate Medical and Surgical Colleges; the immediate payment of all salary arrears; the implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure; a new hazard allowance; and the domestication of the Medical Residency Training Act; among others.
Meanwhile, the FG had in a circular dated August 1, 2023, directed the Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors in the Federal Tertiary Hospitals to implement the ‘no work, no pay’ policy on the striking members of NARD.
Speaking with our correspondent on Monday, the President of the association, Dr Emeka Orji said, “There is definitely going to be an escalation of the strike if the government does not accede to our demands by Wednesday, 10 am.
“We have mobilised our members for the nationwide protest. For those in Abuja, we will gather at the National Hospital, Abuja, and move to the secretariat of the Federal Ministry of Health. For our doctors in other states, the resident doctors will be protesting around their hospitals.”
Asked if the doctors have met with the government after the declaration of the protest, Orji said, “We have not been invited for a meeting officially. Though I am aware some government officials are making moves to call us for a meeting, but we have not received an official invitation for the meeting.”
