The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a fresh notice to the federal government to meet its demands within two weeks or risk industrial action in the health sector.
The association disclosed this in a communiqué jointly signed by NARD’s national president, Innocent Orji, secretary general, Chikezie Kelechi and the publicity and social secretary, Umar Musaissued on Wednesday after its virtual Extraordinary National Executive Council Meeting.
On May 17, members of the association embarked on a five-day warning strike and urged the government to address its concerns before May 29 otherwise, there would be industrial disharmony.
The industrial action was embarked upon after the two-week ultimatum issued to the Federal Government on April 29 expired on May 13 without the issues being addressed.
Members of the association, however, suspended the strike on May 21.
According to the communique, the NEC meeting was held to appraise the level of implementation of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the federal government on May 19 following the five-day warning strike embarked upon by the association on May 17.
It was also to discuss other pressing issues bordering on the welfare of NARD members. It stated that “NEC hereby wishes to further extend her already expired ultimatum issued to the government by two weeks with effect from July 5, 2023.”
It added, “The NEC of NARD insists on immediate implementation of a minimum of 200 per cent increment in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and upward review of the associated allowances as requested in her previous letters on the subject matter.”
The association also mentioned that “since the current economic realities in the country cannot justify the continued payment of CONMESS as it is at the moment or any increment below the 200 per cent as demanded.”
The communique further stated that “for purposes of emphasis, at the expiration of this further extended ultimatum by July 19, if all these demands are not met, we cannot guarantee industrial harmony in the health sector nationwide.”
The resident doctors said it had been seven weeks since the end of the five-day warning strike embarked upon by the association to press home its demands, yet the resolutions of the conciliatory meeting chaired by the former labour minister Chris Ngige had not been implemented.
They also expressed worry that the circular on one-for-one replacement of clinical staff who exited the various tertiary hospitals across the country was yet to be released.
“NEC recalls that the conciliatory meeting agreed that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation will release the implementation guideline on or before June 5 for onward transmission to the Tertiary Hospitals for implementation,” the statement explained. “This has not happened till now. Unfortunately, doctors and nurses in these tertiary hospitals continue to break down and suffer burnout effects, assaults and harassment consequent upon the severe manpower shortage occasioned by this.”
It also mentioned that the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) had yet to be paid as agreed during the conciliatory meeting and that the skipping arrears, too, had not been paid several years after repeated requests for it to be paid.
(NAN)
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