The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has been on indefinite strike since 26 July, demanding the implementation of several agreements with the government.
The strike entered its 10th day on Tuesday, August 8, and has caused great hardship for patients. Many hospitals have been forced to close or operate with reduced staff, and patients have been unable to access essential care.
The Federal Government has appealed to NARD to call off the strike, saying that it is causing “devastating” consequences for patients.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Kachollom Daju, said that the government is working to address the issues that led to the strike, but that it needs NARD to return to work so that patients can receive care.
“We are using this medium to currently appeal to NARD that please, Nigerians are dying in troops,” Daju said. “That is the truth, the health sector is a very important sector.”
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has also called on both sides to resolve the dispute. NMA National President, Dr. Uche Ojinmah, said that the strike is “avoidable” and that it is “detrimental to the common Nigerian citizen.”
He urged NARD to extend a “gesture of goodwill” to the government and to call off the strike.
The major demands of NARD include immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), immediate release of the circular on one-for-one replacement, and payment of skipping arrears.
Others are upward review of Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) in line with full salary restoration to the 2014 value of CONMESS and payment of the arrears of consequential adjustment of minimum wage to the omitted doctors.
Also demanded was the reversal of the downgrading of the membership certificate by Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
The Federal Government has said that it is working to address these issues, but that it needs NARD to return to work so that it can make progress.
The strike is a major setback for the Nigerian healthcare system, which is already struggling to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. It is hoped that both sides can reach a resolution soon so that patients can receive the care they need.
