The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a three week Ultimatum to the Federal Government to address the demands of its members or face an industrial action.
The doctors had embarked on a strike on June 15 which was called off after the intervention of the Governor’s Forum.
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While calling off the strike on June 21, NARD said it’s officers would continue to negotiate with stakeholders and the process would be reviewed at its next NEC meeting in July.
The doctors are demanding for the implementation of the COVID-19 allowances agreed to by the Federal Government.
The association also alleged that no Health worker in the country have been registered for the group life insurance despite claims of payment by the Federal Government.
It also said that the government has refused to pay benefits to next of kin of medical workers who have died on active duty.
The president of the professional association, Dr. Aliyu Sokomba issued the ultimatum on its behalf while presenting a resolution from a virtual meeting and scientific conference held in Gombe between July 20 and 25 to press men.
Excerpts from the resolution read;
“NEC resolved to extend the suspension of our strike action by three weeks to give the government time to address our demands, failure of which will leave us with no choice other than to resume the suspended strike on Monday, August 17 2020.”
The association said further that;
“COVID-19 inducement allowance has only been paid to eleven federal health institutions and most state governments are yet to review the hazard allowance of health workers.”
NARD stated further that some hospitals treating COVID-19 patients have not been provided with protective equipment yet.
Other reasons for the proposed strike include; little or no funding for medical residency training; the sacking of resident Doctors at the Jos University Teaching Hospitals; as well as difficulties being faced by medial staff of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital in Ogbomosho.