The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has warned the Federal Government of an impending strike if it fails to meet their demands.
NARD President, Innocent Orji, conveyed the warning in a letter signed on Tuesday, January 10, 2023.
Orji said, the Association had issued an ultimatum to the federal government six months ago on account of issues such as irregularities in the new circular on the upward review of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) and outstanding payment of arrears of new hazard allowance.
Others, were non-payment of skipping arrears for 2014, 2015 and 2016, non-payment of consequential adjustment of minimum wage, delay in upward review of Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), salary arrears of members in state tertiary health institutions running into several months, including Abia, Imo, Ondo, Ekiti and Gombe States, and non-domestication of Medical Residency Training Act (MRTA) in most states across the federation.
NARD appreciated efforts of government through its Ministries, Departments and Agencies in resolving some of the issues raised, but pointed out that there were still challenges.
The letter read in part: “This has become a source of serious nationwide agitations threatening industrial peace and harmony in the health sector. There are strong indications that if these issues are not sorted out before our forthcoming National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, our members might vote for actions that would lead to nationwide industrial disharmony in the health sector.
“We know how critical this period is and the chaos that would ensue if the government does not take steps to prevent this from happening. And so, we humbly implore that you resolve these issues before our January NEC meeting.
“We trust in your fatherly disposition and believe that you will come to our aid and save the nation from this imminent industrial disharmony.”
