The Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to implement immediately, all the agreements it had with the Association or it will embark on an indefinite strike.
The NARD gave the ultimatum on Saturday at the end of its 2020 Ordinary General Meeting held at the Multipurpose Hall of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi.
The meeting was themed: ‘Health Inequalities and Social Determinants of Health in Nigeria.
The association also lamented the poor working condition of its members across the country.
National President of NARD, Dr. Sokomba Aliyu, who read the communique at the end of the meeting, noted that some of its members were intimidated, harassed and maltreated in Lagos, Kaduna, Plateau States and FCT in the cause of performing their duties.
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He decried the sacking of 26 members at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau State in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and faulted the Kaduna State government for slashing the salaries of its members by 25 percent.
The communique read in part: “NARD demands immediate recall of the sacked resident doctors at Jos University Teaching Hospital and payment of their salaries.
“NARD demands immediate implementation of the revised hazard allowance, payment of COVID-19 inducement allowance. NARD condemns all illegal deductions in salaries of our members by some state governments and demands an immediate refund.
“NARD calls on security agencies to stop the harassment and assault of doctors while carrying out their legitimate activities.
“The association hereby issues a 14-day ultimatum to the government to meet her demands failure of which the association cannot guarantee industrial harmony.”
The NARD also demanded a supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other consumables to all health facilities across the country.
