In a significant development impacting the nation’s healthcare system, the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has taken a definitive step by initiating an indefinite strike action from Wednesday, 26 July. The decision comes as the government has failed to meet the demands put forth by the association, despite prior warning strikes and a two-week ultimatum.
During the July National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Lagos, President of NARD, Emeka Orji, conveyed the unanimous decision to proceed with the indefinite strike.
“We just finished our emergency meeting, and the NEC has directed that we proceed on total indefinite strike action from 12 midnight, tomorrow Wednesday,” he asserted.
This move aims to draw attention to pressing issues that have long plagued the medical workforce, including the immediate implementation and payment of the new hazard allowance and arrears for resident doctors.
The association had previously embarked on a five-day warning strike on 17 May, seeking the government’s attention to address the grievances of healthcare professionals. A subsequent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the federal government, but crucial resolutions remained unimplemented.
Following the government’s failure to fulfill the agreed-upon terms, NARD issued a two-week ultimatum on 5 July. The ultimatum was set to expire on 19 July, during which the government was expected to initiate the implementation of the outstanding agreements. Unfortunately, with the deadline passing without any action, the association took the firm stance of an indefinite strike.
While the decision is poised to disrupt healthcare services across the nation, the doctors believe it is a necessary step to secure their welfare and the improvement of the healthcare sector. NARD aims to protect the interests of its members and underscore the urgency of addressing long-standing concerns to ensure the nation’s healthcare system operates efficiently and effectively.
“We are not taking this action lightly, but our members’ welfare and the need to improve the healthcare system cannot be ignored,” Orji emphasized, urging the government to take prompt action and prioritize the well-being of medical professionals and, by extension, the citizens they serve.