The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike should the government fail to resolve issues revolving around the welfare and safety of its members.
Speaking with the Nation, the President of the NARD, Dr. Aliyu Sokomba, said: “The illegal disengagement of 26 resident doctors at Jos University Teaching Hospital in the face of this pandemic without recourse to the law governing the Residency training is one of the paramount issues that we believe should not only be addressed but also an apology issued to those affected.
“We demand universal implementation of the Residency Training Act in both Federal and State teaching hospital. We also enjoin the Federal Government through the National Assembly to ensure full capture of the residency training funding in the 2021 Appropriation Bill.
“What is worse is that all of this is happening when we thought that measures will be rolled out to address the COVID-19 and at least, if not improve the condition of doctors, then, the status Quo should be maintained. On the other hand, what we get is further assault.”
He further added: “The Federal Government on their own agreed to review the hazard allowance of healthcare workers in Nigeria which was widely published and publicised. Three months down the lane, nothing has been done. Our hazard allowance even as at May is still reflecting the N5,000 hazard allowance they claimed they have reviewed.
“We think there is no sincerity in the way and manner government is handling this matter. The life insurance they claimed they have also procured for doctors and other health care workers is only on the pages of newspaper. We demand immediate implementation of the revised hazard allowance and payment of COVID -19 inducement allowance.
Be the first to comment