Again, Nigerian doctors threaten to strike over unpaid wages and poor social protection
Doctors under the umbrella of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have once again threatened to start the strike if the Nigerian government does not meet their demands.
This development is contained in a statement issued following the NARD National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held from July 25-30 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
>The statement was signed by the president of the association, Godiya Ishaya.
Doctors said the federal and state governments have breached agreements with doctors in the past.
Four states - Imo, Ondo, Ekiti and Gombe - were reported to owe doctors on their staff 10, five, three and two months salaries and other arrears, respectively.
“The NEC shall, upon the expiration of the two-week ultimatum, reconvene to review progress made so far and take further action for which industrial harmony nationwide cannot be guaranteed," the doctors said in their statement.
Other requestsThe doctors demand, among other things, the immediate implementation and payment of the new risk premium and arrears.
NARD said some arrears for 2014, 2015 and 2016 remained unpaid despite several negotiations with the government.
Doctors noted that since the introduction of a new minimum wage in 2019, some of their members have yet to benefit from the consequential adjustment.
“The NEC is demanding immediate payment of the consequential minimum wage adjustment to our members who have been deprived of this benefit since it was implemented several years ago.”
Doctors are also demanding an immediate review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and other related allowances given the current economic situation in the country.
The doctors said this is also in line with the agreed terms of the previous collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that it will be reviewed regularly.
NARD noted that the Abia State government had made little progress in implementing the Medical Residency Training Act (MRTA 2007) and paying 26 months salaries due to doctors residents of Abia State Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH).
He called on the state government to honor the latest agreement to pay seven months salary arrears within one week in first instance, and two months monthly salary arrears to his members until arrears are cleared.
Health sector activitiesThe association has called on the government to increase the allocation to the health sector to 15% of the national budget, as agreed by the Heads of State of African countries.
READ ALSO: Nigerian doctors and other health workers rekindle rivalry over rightsDoctors called for steps to be taken to curb the brain drain in the health sector and find ways to remove all bureaucratic bottlenecks in employing and replacing doctors leaving the country for greener pastures.
NARD also condemned attacks on its members by the public and, thus, on other healthcare professionals in their workplaces.
He urged the government at all levels to look into the matter and thoroughly investigate the ongoing cases.
He also called for measures to be put in place to nip this threat in the bud to prevent future occurrences, noting that "these inhumane acts have affected its members both physically and mentally".
> One of many strikesPREMIUM TIMES has reported how the latest strike launched by doctors has left patients stranded in various healthcare facilities.
In 2020 alone, doctors have been on strike three times demanding compensation for treating COVID-19 patients and an increase in base salary.
They cited several reasons, including delays in the payment of their salaries and allowances.
Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES Good journalism costs a lot of money. However, only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, of a responsible democracy...
Doctors under the umbrella of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have once again threatened to start the strike if the Nigerian government does not meet their demands.
This development is contained in a statement issued following the NARD National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held from July 25-30 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
>The statement was signed by the president of the association, Godiya Ishaya.
Doctors said the federal and state governments have breached agreements with doctors in the past.
Four states - Imo, Ondo, Ekiti and Gombe - were reported to owe doctors on their staff 10, five, three and two months salaries and other arrears, respectively.
“The NEC shall, upon the expiration of the two-week ultimatum, reconvene to review progress made so far and take further action for which industrial harmony nationwide cannot be guaranteed," the doctors said in their statement.
Other requestsThe doctors demand, among other things, the immediate implementation and payment of the new risk premium and arrears.
NARD said some arrears for 2014, 2015 and 2016 remained unpaid despite several negotiations with the government.
Doctors noted that since the introduction of a new minimum wage in 2019, some of their members have yet to benefit from the consequential adjustment.
“The NEC is demanding immediate payment of the consequential minimum wage adjustment to our members who have been deprived of this benefit since it was implemented several years ago.”
Doctors are also demanding an immediate review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and other related allowances given the current economic situation in the country.
The doctors said this is also in line with the agreed terms of the previous collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that it will be reviewed regularly.
NARD noted that the Abia State government had made little progress in implementing the Medical Residency Training Act (MRTA 2007) and paying 26 months salaries due to doctors residents of Abia State Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH).
He called on the state government to honor the latest agreement to pay seven months salary arrears within one week in first instance, and two months monthly salary arrears to his members until arrears are cleared.
Health sector activitiesThe association has called on the government to increase the allocation to the health sector to 15% of the national budget, as agreed by the Heads of State of African countries.
READ ALSO: Nigerian doctors and other health workers rekindle rivalry over rightsDoctors called for steps to be taken to curb the brain drain in the health sector and find ways to remove all bureaucratic bottlenecks in employing and replacing doctors leaving the country for greener pastures.
NARD also condemned attacks on its members by the public and, thus, on other healthcare professionals in their workplaces.
He urged the government at all levels to look into the matter and thoroughly investigate the ongoing cases.
He also called for measures to be put in place to nip this threat in the bud to prevent future occurrences, noting that "these inhumane acts have affected its members both physically and mentally".
> One of many strikesPREMIUM TIMES has reported how the latest strike launched by doctors has left patients stranded in various healthcare facilities.
In 2020 alone, doctors have been on strike three times demanding compensation for treating COVID-19 patients and an increase in base salary.
They cited several reasons, including delays in the payment of their salaries and allowances.
Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES Good journalism costs a lot of money. However, only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, of a responsible democracy...What's Your Reaction?
