By Chioma Obinagwam
Nigerians have expressed shock over the planned nationwide strike by National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD) slated for June 15, 2020.
Confiance News gathered from NARD’s Twitter feed on Monday.
Tobechukwu Njoku, a Twitter user, frowned at government’s misplaced priorities.
Njoku said, “27 billion naira is earmarked for renovation of @nassnigeria while the health which is the wealth of a nation is left to hang on the balance. Isn’t it appalling? When are we gonna take ourselves seriously the way the British take their NHS? @ChidiOdinkalu @realFFK @femigbaja.”
“If we have a government who has the concerns of the populace as its priority.. this strike will be avoided..
It is still not too late..,” Ekuaze Esele tweeted.
“How much money has govt BORROWED to fight #Covid19?
➕DONATIONS.
Yet Doctors are threatening going on strike.
Govt last week cut HEALTH budget in the midst of a pandemic, but maintained their own pocket budgets.
The threat of Mass Casualties from Coronavirus is becoming real,” First Doctor Tweeted.
“It tells you how irresponsible we are as a nation and the government at large. If the doctors can be threatening to go on strike now when across the globe they’re being celebrated. Then for God sake, when are we going to get it right?” Oluwabankole tweeted.
“The FG is useless and insensitive.. They dont rate health workers!,” Maxillo Hurray tweeted.
Confiance News recalls that Dr Aliyu Sokomba, National President of NARD, announced the planned industrial action in an official letter with reference number NARD/SG/2019-2020/070620/246.
Sokomba said the association found it necessary to take “the painful decision” following the inability of the government to meet its demands.
He said, “Consequent upon the 14 days ultimatum duly served the Federal Government for indefinite strike action, in accordance with the resolution of the Ordinary General Meeting of the Association on the 29th of May 2020, we hereby notify you that all resident doctors, medical officers below the rank of Principal Medical Officer (PMO) and House Officers across all the Federal and State hospitals in Nigeria, shall be embarking on a total and indefinite strike action effective 12:01am on Monday, 15th June 2020.
“It is important that you make alternative arrangements for the care of the patients as the strike shall be total and indefinite. No service of any kind, be it emergency, care at COVID-19 isolation and treatment centres shall be exempted. We sympathize with the patients and Nigerian populace.
“For purpose of clarity, the demands on which the ultimatum was predicated include the following; Provision of grossly inadequate appropriate Personal Protective Equipment for all healthcare workers, Immediate reversal of the illegal disengagement of all 26 resident doctors in Jos University Teaching Hospital, and the payment of all salaries owed them, in keeping with provisions of the Medical Residency Training Act.
“Universal Implementation of the Medical Residency Training Act in all federal and state hospitals and ensuring pay parity among doctors of equal cadre.
“Immediate implementation of the revised hazard allowance and payment of the COVID-19 inducement allowance as agreed with by the Federal Government and healthcare workers three months ago.
“Provision of funding for Medical Residency Training in the 2021 Appropriation bill. Payment of all arrears owed our members in federal and states tertiary health institutions, arising from the consequential adjustment of the National minimum wage.
“Stoppage and immediate refund of all illegal, unjust and callous cut in salaries of our members by Kaduna State and other state governments.”
