Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has declared a five-day warning strike, following failure of the Federal Government to meet its demands.
The decision was reached after the association’s extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, yesterday.
According to the doctors, the strike will commence on Wednesday, May 17, and end on Monday, May 22.
On April 29, NARD had issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to implement agreements or face industrial action.
The ultimatum ended on Saturday, May 13, 2023.
The doctors are demanding immediate increment in Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, amounting to 200 per cent of the current gross salary of doctors, and new allowances included in a letter written by the association to Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, on July 7, 2022.
They are also demanding immediate payment of 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), which aligns with agreements reached at a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Federal Ministry of Health.
Other demands include commencement of payment of all salary arrears owed members, including 2014, 2015 and 2016 arrears, as well as consequential adjustment of the minimum wage.
Asked why the association is opting for strike, less than two weeks to the end of the current administration and inauguration of a new helmsman, NARD President, Dr. Emeka Orji, told The Guardian that detailed explanation would be made during a press conference today.
