Buhari Knocks Striking Doctors, Says Nigerian Lives Matter

President Muhammadu Buhari meets members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), who have been on strike for over one month.

President Muhammadu Buhari has knocked striking Nigerian doctors, saying several lives might be lost due to their industrial action.

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has since Monday, July 2, 2021, embarked on strike.

With the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) giving the federal government a 21-day ultimatum to meet the demands of the striking resident doctors, and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) issuing a 15-day ultimatum to the Buhari-led government to meet its demands or face an indefinite strike, the Nigerian health sector is at the verge of being paralysed.

In order to address the matters instigating strike actions from health bodies in the country, Buhari had a meeting with officials of the NMA at the State House, during which he faulted them for putting citizens’ lives at risks.

Buhari’s words: “The lives of citizens that could be lost or damaged when doctors withdraw services, are precious enough to be worth opting for peaceful resolution of differences.”

“Let me speak directly to the striking doctors. Embarking on industrial action at this time when Nigerians need you most is not the best action to take, no matter the grievances.

“This Administration has a good track record of paying all debts owed to government workers, pensioners and contractors and we have even revisited debts left by past administrations, once due verification is done. Debts genuinely owed Health workers will be settled.

“I learnt that some of the 12-point demand in the ongoing strike was already addressed. Though the Review of a new Hazard Allowance has not been fully negotiated because of the sharp and deep division within the ranks of the striking doctors.’’

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