The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) led by Dr. Atilola has declared an indefinite strike which is to commence on thursday the 15th of April 2010.

The members of the above association at a meeting held at the Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta yesterday and attended by the presidents and representatives from

University College Hospital Ibadan, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos State University Teaching Hosptial,
University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Irrua Teaching Hospital Benin, Federal Medical Centre- OWO, Federal Medcial Centre-IDO EKITI, University of Ado-Ekiti Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Cetnre - ABEOKUTA,
Neuropsychiatry Hospital ARO, Neuropsychiatry Hospital YABA, NATIONAL ORTHOPAEDIC HOSPITAL IGBOBI,
LAUTECH OSOGBO, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Shagamu and other notable health institutions jointly resolved to embark on the planned strike action. It will be recalled that the Dr. Atilola Led NARD had embarked on a warning strike about 3weeks ago to press home the demand for the implementation of CONMESS which Government has been playing politics with, Budgetary allocation for residency training in Nigeria, Relativity among health workers and some other issues.

Oh dear!
I really do hope this can be averted, not again!
As much as this bites close home and i'll love for the government to do all doctors want, its just scary to think of what the patients will go through again.
Its just unfortunate that Nigeria is beset by such wicked rulers. They care less who dies just because they can bring their relatives to the UK for malaria treatment.
shame on Them!

Its is really disheartening to see the nation's health sector go to ruins. Speaking as a doctor, i have direct knowledge of what the situation is. Most people wont know the rot in the health sector because its not their business to do so. More so, once the problems of a patient is/can be solved then that person knows nothing of the trial other patients with serious conditions have to go through.

For instance, in my center, we do orthopedic surgeries with out a C-Arm. This is a device that allows you to see that an implant you are placing to fix a fracture sits correctly and prevents a re-operation in case it is not - which is sometimes the case. In fact if this machine were available, there are no qualified and trained personnel to operate it. If anyone does operate it, it is by trial and error. In no time the machine runs down and with our lack of a maintenance culture in the country - your guess is as good as mine. This goes for all specialties.

We all watch the TV series, Grey's anatomy, Nip Tuck, The Practice, House, DR 91210 and ER. Did you know that NONE i repeat NONE of our hospitals are as half (thats too much - a quarter) as equipped as them? I would give anything to work in a place lake that. You don't have to look for anything or ask patients to go and buy things and surgeries and treatments are not delayed. Like we all say - we will get there someday (i doubt it with this attitude of our). the masses are entitled to quality, cheap and availabe health services right here in the country.

We doctors are supposed to train to be able to take care of the common ailments in the society and a few outside. Don't kid yourself, we have individuals in this country who have illnesses that were though to be that of the Caucasians. These individual are not able to afford specialist care abroad like our leaders. There fore, it is necessary for doctors to seek overseas training in order to be able to deal with these illnesses. Now doctors travel out on their purse to get these training. What does this mean to the common people? Increase medical bills because the doctor has made an investment that has to be recouped on way or the other. If he were sponsored, an investment has been made in him that he must deliver at all costs. This is to the benefit of the nation at large.

Now let take the case of the leader ship, they take what they want. As a doctor i don't bother myself with the politics of the country - its a waste of precious time i could use saving someone's life. These same people allocate money to them selves without batting an eyelid - evidenced by what we read ans see on TV (most likely true). When it now comes to making the health sector work, there is a problem. If you go to most of the well established hospitals in the country, you will notice that a lot of money was spent to get those equipment and there is also maintenance - and the staff is well paid. It tells us anything government doesn't work and the govt doesn't care - this should not be so.

Since the strike started 5 days ago, we have not heard anything from the govt. Even the minister of state of health (who is a nurse by the way) and minister for information have not said a word. Well they don't go to OUR hospitals so no problem.

Well i am currently enjoying the few days of much needed rest the govt has gladly given to me while awaiting their response. I sure do hope that will be soon because MY PATIENTS ARE SUFFERING.


Dr Kadir  Dotun BM

***Responses can be directed to - dusty.dr@gmail.com

Really the government doesn't care, that's a fact, but what else can be done to make them hear?Strikes it seems is fast loosing its teeth as a factor to making government do things, they just care less.If there's anyone who suffers, its the innocent.But unfortunately what i have noticed is that the same people who are suffering this will be the ones to shout loudest blaming the docs who are fighting for them, i think everyone should rise with one voice and condemn this animals in power who run abroad to treat malaria, a friend remarked today that with flights into Heathrow grounded, some of our politicians will probably die of headaches, someone else there retorted that they'll only face America and spend more public funds on rubbish.

I lost it for Nigeria when a chronically ill president wont think of siting a top class kidney care centre in his hometown(we are not saying build it in abuja or lagos, i mean his hometown for chrissakes!) and would instead run to saudi or germany at the drop of a hat, it just shows you the make up of the Nigerian elite.

This latest strike is regrettable and i hope it doesn't drag on for too long, cos it will only allow some more poor people to die off so the children of the rich can go back home from everywhere in the world to rule.Sad story called Nigeria.

Why is the western NARD alone on strike? What is this northern and western block of NARD I hear  all about? As a doctor I feel saddened knowing that the NARD is not united. How do we fight for our common interest? God help us.

if strikes happen every year in every government parastatal in nigeria, why do people never prepare for these events but away act like its something new?


i think by now nigerians should have plans in place for when they hear another segment of society is going on strike again. It happens every year unfailingly, so is there any brainstorming on what to do during such? Alternatives, etc?

currently, boko haram is the only institution which does not go on strike.

lord have mercy.