By Blessing Bature

National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have declared indefinite strike over dispute with the federal government on salary and welfare matters.

In the communique issued at the end of its meeting of the association held virtually on the 21st and 25th july, the doctors had resolved, “to further extend her already expired ultimatum issued to the government by two weeks with effect from Wednesday July 5, 2023.”

Among the demands of the doctors were the immediate payment of the 2023 MRTF as contained in the approved 2023 budget in line with various agreements reached with the government.

The communique signed by the President of NARD, Dr Orji Emeka Innocent, Secretary-General, Dr Chikezie Kelechi and Dr Umar Musa, Publicity & Social Secretary observed with dismay the failure of the Government to release the circular on ONE for ONE replacement of clinical staff despite the untoward hardship the current spate of brain drain has caused Nigerian doctors and other clinical staff.

They expressed disappointment at the delayed payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), despite several engagements by NARD with the government, as members observed rather unfortunately, that the first phase of the update courses and examinations this year, for which the fund was intended have been concluded and the second phase is about closing.

NEC observed with dismay, the refusal by the government to pay the salary arrears of 2014, 2015, and 2016 to our members, hazard allowance arrears as well as the arrears of the consequential adjustment of minimum wage.

NEC regrettably observed that many state governors are yet to implement the appropriate Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), domesticate the Medical Residency Training Act (MRTA)/pay the Medical Residency Training Fund or improve on the hazard allowance paid to our colleagues and other health workers while owing a backlog of salary arrears to our members.

NARD seriously frowned at these negative developments in the states which have lingered for a long time now, wondering how such state governors will continue to oversee this progressive collapse of the Health sector in their states and endangering the lives of their citizens.