Resident doctors give FG fresh ultimatum

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address its outstanding demands or face a nationwide strike.

The ultimatum was contained in a communique read by the newly elected President of NARD, Dr Emmanuel Ogar, at the end of the association’s 46th Annual General Meeting, which concluded in Calabar, Cross River State, at the weekend.

Doctors demand implementation of agreements

NARD said the Federal Government had failed to implement several agreements reached with the association on remuneration, career progression, professional allowances and improved conditions of service.

The association said the delays had persisted despite repeated assurances and engagements between government representatives and its leadership.

It expressed concern that the prolonged non-implementation of the agreements had negatively affected the welfare and morale of resident doctors across the country.

NARD also argued that the current salary structure no longer reflected prevailing economic realities, while resident doctors were being subjected to excessive workloads due to severe manpower shortages in hospitals.

Migration worsens manpower shortage

The association said the situation had been compounded by the continued migration of doctors and other health professionals abroad.

According to NARD, the loss of medical personnel had left doctors remaining in the country with additional responsibilities and heavier workloads.

The resident doctors therefore demanded the immediate implementation of all outstanding agreements between the government and the association.

They also demanded the prompt payment of salaries and other entitlements owed to house officers, as well as the adoption of a standardised template for compensating doctors for excess workload.

The association further called for the full enforcement of anti-assault policies to protect health workers from attacks in the course of their duties.

It also demanded improved hospital infrastructure and equipment, alongside increased budgetary allocation to the health sector.

NARD warned that failure by the Federal Government to address the issues within the 14-day period would lead to a breakdown of industrial harmony and could disrupt healthcare delivery nationwide.