The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Saturday directed members of the association across the country to commence a total strike from Monday, August 2.
NARD issued the directive at the end of the executive meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) held in Umuahia, Abia State.
At the end of the meeting the association’s National President, Dr Okhuaihesuyi Uyilawa, told newsmen:
“We are embarking on a total and indefinite strike on August 2, 2021. You can recall we had a memorandum of action on March 31, 2021, and had an addendum to it on April 9, and since then, we still have had irregularities in the payment of salaries to the house officers.
“We had issues with them being non-regular payment and as part of the memorandum of action, it was said that they should be captured back into the IPPS platform..
“You are aware that we lost 19 members to COVID-19 and death in service insurance was supposed to be paid to their next of kin.
“The last time we met the minister of labour and minister of health, we were told that our members are part of those to be given the insurance benefit, but we found out that their names are not even there.”
According to the NARD president, the failure of the Federal Government to fulfill the association’s demands is part of the reasons for the planned industrial action.
Uyilawa apologised to Nigerians for the decision but maintained it was as a result of the government’s failure in its responsibilities.
Below is the resolution NARD NEC reached at the end of the meeting:
“After critical appraisal of the performance of both Federal and State Governments on all the issues affecting the welfare of our members as observed above and the insincerity of government in implementing the memorandum of action after One Hundred and Thirteen (113) days, the NEC unanimously resolved by vote to resume the total and indefinite
strike action from 08.00hrs Monday 2nd August 2021.
“The NEC in particular demanded the immediate withdrawal of the circular removing House Officers from the scheme of service.
Finally, the NEC stated unequivocally especially to the members of the public that the NARD is committed to the smooth running of the health sector; however, can only do so when our welfare is given the desired attention.”
Recall that the doctors had also in April went on industrial action that lasted for 10 days before it was called off.
During that strike, patients in Federal Government-owned hospitals across the country were left unattended.