The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has stated that its members have been mobilized for the nationwide protest, which is set to begin on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, if the Federal Government fails to meet its demands.
The association said there has not been an official meeting with the government since its declaration of the protest.
Chronicle NG reports that NARD said on Saturday it would begin peaceful protests on Wednesday, picketing the Federal Ministry of Health, the Office of the Federation’s Head of Civil Service, and federal and state tertiary health facilities around the country.
On July 26, 2023, NARD went on an indefinite strike after the government failed to accept its demands within a two-week deadline.
Among other things, the doctors are demanding the implementation of the one-for-one replacement policy for healthcare workers; the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to discontinue the downgrading of the membership certificate issued by the West African Postgraduate Medical and Surgical Colleges; the immediate payment of all salary arrears; the implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure; a new hazard allowance; and the domestication of the Medical Residency Training Act.
Meanwhile, in a circular dated August 1, 2023, the Federal Government directed the Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals to impose the ‘no work, no pay’ policy on NARD officials who joined the strike.
Speaking with newsmen on Monday, Dr. Emeka Orji, the President of the association, said, “There is definitely going to be an escalation of the strike if the government does not accede to our demands by Wednesday, 10 a.m.
“We have mobilised our members for the nationwide protest. For those in Abuja, we will gather at the National Hospital, Abuja, and move to the secretariat of the Federal Ministry of Health. For our doctors in other states, the resident doctors will be protesting around their hospitals.”
Speaking on whether the doctors have met with the government after the declaration of the protest, Orji said, “We have not been invited for a meeting officially. Though I am aware some government officials are making moves to call us for a meeting, we have not received an official invitation for the meeting.”
