BREAKING NEWS, Health
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The National Association of Resident Doctors gives the federal government 21 days to meet its demand or its members will go on strike
DESPITE threats by Prof. Isaac Adewole, minister of Health, to invoke the civil service rule of “no work, no pay”, the National Association of Resident Doctors on Monday, April 4, has given the federal government a 21-day ultimatum “following which industrial harmony in various hospitals may not be guaranteed.”
The ultimatum is contained in a communique the NARD issued at the end of its extraordinary National Executive Council, NEC, meeting held in Abuja. It was signed by Muhammad Adamu Askira, president of NARD, Ibrahim Shettima Kuburi, secretary-general, and Uhuaba Eugene Ahuruezenma, publicity secretary.
The communique observed the poor infrastructure in Nigerian hospitals which have affected the delivery of adequate health care to our teeming populace; observed that Residency Training Programme is still not funded and without guiding policies, the undue sack of our members from some of the training institutions and the delay in effecting the pension deductions of its members was regrettable among others. It also stated that whereas a labourer deserves his wages;” we noted that some of our members in some State-owned tertiary hospitals have not been paid salaries ranging from three to eight months. Most notably are LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Osogbo in Os un State, LAUTECH Ogbomoso in Oyo State, IMSUTH Orlu in Imo State, Kogi Specialist Hospital, ABSUTH Aba in Abia State and Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital.”
“Most worrisome is the Government of Osun State that remained unperturbed despite the total collapse of health care delivery in the State and its attendant loss of lives. We noted with dismay the inappropriate placement and remuneration of our members in States and Federal Tertiary hospitals across the nation. As such, most hospitals are paying our members only fractions of their salaries notably FETHA Abakiliki, FMC Umuahia, ABUTH Zaira, UNTH Enugu e.t.c while in UCH Ibadan, UBTH Benin city, LUTH Idi-araba, FMC owerri, ISTH Irua and NOH Dala November/December 2015 salaries are yet to be paid,” the communique stated.
After extensive deliberations, the NEC resolved to implore the government to adequately fund hospitals at all levels and upgrade existing facilities in our hospitals in line with international best practices which will go a long way to curb the menace of foreign medical tourism.
The NARD urged governments at all levels to release and implement residency training guidelines with appropriate budgetary backing. NARD will no longer tolerate the undue sack of resident doctors and demands immediate reversal of such. We also urge government, at all levels, to strictly comply with pension deductions act as amended (2014), it said.
“We urge the government to ensure appropriate and adequate remuneration of our members at various hospitals. In line with the above realities, NARD declares a 21-day ultimatum with effect from Monday 4th April 2016 to press home our demands following which industrial harmony in our various hospitals may not be guaranteed if the existing realities are not resolved,” it said.
However, the NARD appreciates the efforts of the Adewole, Osagie Ehanire, minister of State for health, Amina Shamaki, permanent secretary, federal ministry of health, Ianre Tejuosho, chairman Senate Committee on health, Sen. lanre Tejuosho. We also appreciate some state governors notably the governor of Abia and Lagos States for having shown appreciable commitments in healthcare delivery in their various states.
— Apr 4, 2016 @ 20:00 GMT
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