Resident Doctors Insist Strike Will Continue

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has asked its members to continue with the industrial action at their states.

Naija News recalls that NARD had resolved to suspend the ongoing indefinite nationwide strike from today, Friday, 11th of September 2020, by 8 a.m.

But in a communique by Dr. Sokomba Aliyu, Dr. Bilqis Muhammad and Dr. Egbogu Stanley, President, Secretary General and Publicity/Social Secretary, NARD directed resident doctors to continue the strike if the conditions of service has not improved at their respective States.

The NEC however noted the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to procure Group life insurance, while appreciating the inclusion of the 2020 Medical Residency Training in the revised 2020 budget and the promise of the Federal government to effect payment within two weeks.

The group noted with satisfaction that government has approved the release of 8.9 billion naira to offset the outstanding balance of April/May and June COVID-19 hazard inducement allowance to all health workers.

According to the communique, “NEC noted the decision of the government to determine revised hazard allowance as soon as possible.”

It also noted that the outstanding salary shortfall of 2014, 2015, 2016 has not been paid to her members.

It observed the plight of her members in state tertiary hospitals, such as the non-domestication and non-implementation of Medical Residency Training Act at the state level, the non-implementation of appropriate salary structure, and the non-payment of owed salaries.