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Doctors To Embark On Nationwide Strike Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Monday announced that doctors in the country would down tools starting from Monday, June 15.
The association made the announcement in a statement issued by Aliyu Sokomba, its president and Bilqis Muhammad, its general Secretary.
The association also issued a 14-day ultimatum to the federal government after which they would go ahead with the industrial action if their demands are not met.
The association noted that its members working at COVID-19 isolation and treatment centres will also join the industrial action.
It implored the federal government to start making arrangements for alternative treatment of patients as no department or medical service will be spared from the strike
“Consequent upon the 14 days ultimatum duly served the Federal Government for indefinite strike action, in accordance with the resolution of the Ordinary General Meeting of the Association on the 29th of May 2020, we hereby notify you that All Resident Doctors, Medical Officers below the rank of Principal Medical Officer (PMO) and House Officers across all the Federal and State hospitals in Nigeria, shall be embarking on a total and indefinite strike action effective 12:01 am on Monday, 15th June 2020,” the association said.
“It is important that you make alternative arrangements for the care of the patients as the strike shall be total and indefinite. No service of any kind, be it emergency, care at COVID-19 isolation and treatment centres shall be exempted. We sympathize with the patients and Nigerian populace.
Also Read: Coronavirus In Nigeria: Three Doctors Test Positive For COVID-19 Again
“For purpose of clarity, the demands on which the ultimatum was predicated include the following; Provision of grossly inadequate appropriate Personal Protective Equipment for all Healthcare workers; immediate reversal of the illegal disengagement of all 26 resident doctors in Jos University Teaching Hospital, and the payment of all salaries owed them, in keeping with provisions of the Medical Residency training Act; universal implementation of the Medical Residency Training Act in all Federal and State hospitals and ensuring pay parity among doctors of equal cadre.
“Immediate implementation of the revised Hazard allowance and payment of the COVID-19 inducement allowance as agreed with by the Federal Government and Healthcare Workers 3 months ago; provision of funding for Medical Residency Training in the 2021 Appropriation bill; payment of all arrears owed our members in Federal and States tertiary health institutions, arising from the consequential adjustment of the National minimum wage; stoppage and immediate refund of all illegal, unjust and callous cut in salaries of our members by Kaduna State and other state governments.”
The development is coming at a time the country is grappling with upsurge in COVID-19 cases.
A total of 12,486 cases have now been confirmed in 35 states and the FCT.
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