With the protracted industrial action in public universities yet unresolved, resident doctors have given a two-week notice to embark on a strike.
The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) said that federal and state governments had defaulted on agreements reached with the doctors.
Rising from its National Executive Council on Saturday, NARD issued a communique signed by its President, Godiya Ishaya stating that four states – Imo, Ondo, Ekiti, and Gombe – are respectively owing doctors in their workforce 10, five, three, and two months salaries and other arrears.
“The NEC shall by the expiration of the two weeks ultimatum, reconvene to review the progress made so far and take further actions for which nationwide industrial harmony may not be guaranteed”, the doctors said.
NARD’s demand include the immediate implementation and payment of the new hazard allowance and arrears. It said that some arrears for 2014, 2015, and 2016 have remained unpaid despite several negotiations with the government.
The doctors noted that since the implementation of a new minimum wage in 2019, some of their members are yet to benefit from the consequential adjustment.
“The NEC demands immediate payment of consequential adjustment of minimum wage to our members who have been deprived of this benefit since it was implemented several years ago”, NARD stated.
The doctors are also demanding an immediate review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure and other related allowances given the current economic situation in the country. This, they said, is in line with the agreed terms from the previous Collective Bargaining Agreement that it would be reviewed regularly.
NARD noted that the Abia State Government had made little progress towards implementing the Medical Residency Training Act, and payment of 26 months’ salary areas owed resident doctors at the state University Teaching Hospital.
It appealed to the state government to keep to the latest agreement of paying seven months’ salary arrears within one week in the first instance, and two months’ salary arrears monthly to its members until the arrears are cleared.
The association appealed to the government to increase allocation to the health sector to 15 per cent of the national budget as agreed by heads of African countries.
They called for steps to be taken toward curtailing the brain drain in the health sector and finding ways of eliminating all bureaucratic bottlenecks in the employment and replacement of doctors leaving the nation for greener pastures.
NARD also condemned attacks on its members by the public and, as well, on other health professionals in their workplaces. It enjoined the government at all levels to look into the issue and thoroughly investigate the ongoing cases.
It also called for measures to be put in place to nip this menace in the bud to forestall future occurrences, noting that “these inhumane acts have affected its members both physically and mentally”.
