The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have threatened to embark on a nationwide industrial action if the Federal Government fails to address their demands
The Association’s President, Emeka Orji told Channels Television that the association does not desire to down its tools, knowing its implication for the health sector.
It however said it could be forced to do so if the government refused to address their demands before January 28 when the association will end its National Executive Council meeting.
He appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to intervene and save the looming industrial action.
Some of the unresolved issues according to the association include the irregularities in the new circular on an upward review of the medical residency training fund, non-payment of outstanding arrears of the new hazard allowance, as well as the non-payment of the consequential adjustment of the minimum wage to some of its members.
Others are 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 the Medical Residency Training Act (MRTA) in most states across the Federation.
Earlier, the resident doctors issued a statement warning of imminent nationwide strike action.
The aggrieved doctors recalled issuing an ultimatum to the Federal Government six months ago on account of lingering unresolved issues affecting their members.
Some of the issues include the irregularities in the new circular on the upward review of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), outstanding payment of the arrears of the new hazard allowance, non-payment of the skipping arrears for 2014, 2015 and 2016, non-payment of the consequential adjustment of the minimum wage to some of our members, and delay in the upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure(CONMESS).
While the association appreciated the efforts of the government through its ministries, departments and agencies in resolving some of the issues raised, it however said many of them remain largely unresolved and have now become sources of serious nationwide agitation threatening industrial peace and harmony in the health sector.