Resident doctors begin strike, woo other health workers

Top: The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD logo and a stethoscope
Bottom: A file photo of doctors on a strike protest

The Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, has commenced its nationwide strike scheduled for today (September 7, 2020) because the Federal Government has not invited its leadership for a meeting despite notifying them.

Recall that Nelsdaily.com reported on Wednesday September 3, 2020, the resolution of the NARD to embark on a Nationwide indefinite strike if the government failed to invite them for a meeting.

NARD called upon the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA; Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN; National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, NANNM; and other unions in the health sector to support the struggle for upward review of its hazard allowance from the paltry sum of N5,000.

The National Publicity Secretary, Dr Stanley Egbogu, spokesperson of the NARD said, “The Federal Government has not invited us to a meeting after we notified them that we will be proceeding on strike. We have directed all our members across the country both federal and state institutions to recommence the strike we suspended on June 22, 2020″.

“The truth is that the current hazard can’t be compared to the daily risks of hazard we face every day from the current coronavirus to the Hepatitis B and C viruses. The risks is just too much for N5,000”, he further said.

The organisation is demanding payment of the medical residency training funding to all its members as approved in the revised 2020 budget and payment of the outstanding April/May and June COVID-19 inducement allowances to all health workers, among others.