Resident Doctors Give FG Two-week Ultimatum over Unmet Demands

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a two-week ultimatum to the federal government to resolve outstanding welfare and professional issues affecting its members.

At its 46th annual general meeting on Sunday in Calabar, Cross Rivers state, NARDS warned that failure to resolve outstanding issues could trigger industrial action.

According to the resolutions read by Ogar Emmanuel Idoko, its national president, NARD expressed concern over the slow pace of implementation of agreements reached between the association and the federal government.

The association said that prolonged delays had become unacceptable.

They demanded immediate action on outstanding issues relating to remuneration, career progression, professional allowances, excessive workload, manpower shortages and the general welfare of resident doctors.

It called for “the immediate implementation of agreements reached with the federal government, particularly those relating to improved conditions of service and professional development”.

“The government concluded the review of existing remuneration and professional salary structures for doctors, saying the current framework no longer adequately reflected prevailing economic realities,” the resolution reads.

The association demanded appropriate compensation for excess workload arising from manpower shortages in hospitals.

It noted that resident doctors are increasingly carrying additional responsibilities.

NARD called for standardised templates for compensation for excess workload and reliable data to justify payments to doctors performing duties beyond their normal responsibilities.

It expressed concern over attacks on health workers and called for the full implementation of policies and anti-assault measures designed to protect doctors and other medical personnel in hospitals.

It further raised concern over the continuing migration of doctors and other health professionals from Nigeria..

The association urged the federal ministry of health and social welfare to urgently address the factors responsible for the continued migration of medical professionals.

The association called on state governments to prioritise the welfare of doctors and other health workers employed by their respective institutions and ensure the implementation of relevant welfare policies.