ICYMI: RESIDENT DOCTORS ISSUE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT A TWO-WEEK ULTIMATUM OVER PENDING AGREEMENTS

By Adegoke Adedoyin

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has given the Federal Government a two-week deadline to fulfill all stated agreements, or else industrial unrest will occur.

Following a zoom meeting held by the Extraordinary National Executive Council on Wednesday, NARD released an ultimatum.

Dr. Emeka Orji, the President of NARD, stated in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, “We are giving the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to meet our requests, effective from today, Wednesday, July 5, to Friday, July 19, 2023.

“Unfortunately, none of the requests that led us to go on a warning strike for five days have been addressed. Even after agreeing to the Memorandum of Understanding, the administration has not taken any action. The deadlines for our demands have already passed.

“It was agreed that the circular for one-on-one replacement would be released on or before June 5, 2023, but over a month has passed, and nothing has been done. The government promised to make the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund payment at the beginning of the fiscal year, but as of the start of last month, no payment has been made.

“Industrial peace cannot be guaranteed if the government does not agree to our demands by the deadline of July 19. Furthermore, based on our current information, the strike will no longer be a warning strike but will become indefinite.”

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the resident doctors and the government to address the issues faced by the doctors.

The doctors are requesting an immediate 200 percent increase in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, an immediate massive hiring of clinical staff in hospitals, the immediate withdrawal of a bill that would require medical and dental graduates to serve a mandatory five-year term in Nigeria before receiving full licenses to practice, and an immediate development plan for hospital infrastructure.

Additionally, they want the bureaucratic restrictions on replacing doctors and nurses who leave the system to be removed immediately and a quick, substantial recruitment of clinical staff in hospitals.