Today marks the 17th day of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors’ (NARD) strike.
Our correspondent discovered that numerous health facilities where resident doctors provide crucial services were practically deserted yesterday, according to Daily Trust.
In a weekend post on X, NARD urged the federal government to finalize a long-delayed Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
It also called for a revision of the outmoded Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
The union stated, “Dear Nigerians, Doctors Deserve a Fair Deal!” We have long waited for a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), a basic, written agreement that guarantees fairness, clear work terms, and enough remuneration. However, the government continues to wait, while doctors face mounting costs and low morale.
“We demand the immediate conclusion of the CBA and review of the outdated CONMESS salary structure.”
In a communication to our correspondent last evening, NARD President Dr. Muhammad Suleiman indicated that the union had not signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the federal government since no agreements had been reached.
“We have yet to sign the MOU. Agreements have yet to be achieved,” he stated.
Medical services are still unavailable in at least 91 healthcare facilities.
Patients have been left stranded in many hospitals as the 11,500 resident doctors, who account for a sizable proportion of the country’s 56,000 certified medical practitioners, continue to strike.
NARD stated that the union’s 19-point demand list is acceptable and important for the benefit of doctors and patients.
NARD’s primary grievances include unpaid arrears, terrible working conditions, insufficient personnel, an onerous workload, and a lack of necessary medical infrastructure, which the doctors claim has ruined healthcare delivery nationally.
President Bola Tinubu urged the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to end the strike immediately, stating that the government is meeting the doctors’ concerns.
“President Tinubu has expressly directed that we do everything possible and legitimate to ensure that the resident doctors return to their duty posts as soon as possible,” said Dr. Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, two days after the strike began.
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