The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Federal Neuro-psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, has affirmed full compliance with the indefinite strike declared by its national body, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

The NARD president, Toba Babarinsa, said this at a news conference on Thursday in Lagos.

NARD on October 27 declared a nationwide indefinite strike, which is to begin on November 1, following what it described as the government’s failure to address long-standing issues.

The decision was reached after an Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held virtually on October 25 and announced in a communique signed by NARD President, Mohammad Suleiman.

NARD had earlier embarked on a five-day warning strike on September 12, which it suspended two days later, giving the government a two-week ultimatum that was later extended by 30 days.

Mr Babarinsa noted that the grace period has elapsed, and it’s now crucial for the federal government to show its commitment to resolving the concerns of Nigerian resident doctors.

He said the demands of the doctors were long overdue, expressing optimism that urgently addressing the most pressing demands might avert the strike.

 
According to him, the demands centred on prioritising the welfare of doctors to make their operations more conducive and motivating.

He said, “Even the normal monthly salary payment is not consistent; imagine that our September salary was paid on October 7. As I speak, we have not seen the October salary, and nobody can predict when it will be paid. Any doctor whose welfare is not met is already a risk to the patients.

“For any doctor to function optimally, his/her physical and mental health and psychosocial needs must be balanced.”

NARD’s impending strike aims to press home its 19 demands, including the immediate payment of the outstanding 25 to 35 per cent CONMESS salary arrears and other withheld allowances.

Others were the reinstatement of five resident doctors sacked by the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, and the establishment of a humane and internationally aligned working-hours policy to protect doctors and patients alike.

The association also demanded urgent recruitment of additional doctors through the full enforcement of the one-for-one replacement policy to curb excessive workload, as well as the upgrade of dilapidated facilities and medical equipment across the country.

NARD also demands the prompt payment of specialist allowances, correction of entry-level placements for house officers, and full inclusion of all junior doctors in the public service salary structure. 
(NAN)