The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has announced their intention to stage peaceful protests starting from Wednesday, August 9, 2023, unless their demands are met by the Federal Government.
In a circular titled ‘Notice of nationwide mass protests and picketing by NARD,’ the association conveyed their plan to picket various federal and state tertiary health institutions, as well as the Federal Ministry of Health and the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
The circular was addressed to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Olufunso Adebiyi.
The circular was jointly signed by the President of the association, Dr. Emeka Orji, and the Secretary General, Dr. Kelechi Chikezie.
NARD began an indefinite strike on July 26, 2023, after the government failed to meet their demands within the two-week ultimatum they had given.
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The doctors’ demands include the implementation of the one-for-one replacement policy for healthcare workers, stopping the downgrading of membership certificates issued by the West African, Postgraduate Medical and Surgical Colleges by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, immediate payment of all salary arrears, implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, a new hazard allowance, and the domestication of the Medical Residency Training Act, among other requests.
In the meantime, the Federal Government issued a circular on August 1, 2023, instructing the Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors in the Federal Tertiary Hospitals to enforce the ‘no work, no pay’ policy against the striking members of NARD.
The Federal Government also instructed the hospitals to keep an attendance register for resident doctors who are willing to work.
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However, in a circular dated August 5, 2023, NARD announced its plan to engage in daily peaceful protests and picketing of government institutions to push for its demands.
The circular stated that the National Executive Council of NARD decided to commence the protests and picketing at 10 am on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, targeting the Federal Ministry of Health, the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, and all federal and state tertiary health institutions across the country.
“This step has become necessary to emphasize our demands, which have been widely ignored by our overseeing ministry and the Federal Government.
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It pains us that instead of sincerely and collaboratively addressing the challenges that triggered the labor strike, despite our repeated ultimatums, our overseeing ministry and the Federal Government have opted to vilify Nigerian resident doctors, despite their sacrifices and dedication.
As a result, we have collectively decided that it’s time to share our perspective with the world – the deterioration and corruption within the healthcare sector, along with the prolonged neglect suffered by public health institutions over the years, leading to recurring labor disputes.
We hold the belief that the government still has an opportunity to earnestly tackle the pertinent issues before the 9th of August 2023, or else we will be left with no alternative.”
