Doctors under the aegis of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, said the healthcare system is already overstretched to a limit due to the #ENDSARS protest victims and COVID-19 pandemic all over the world.
The doctors on Wednesday stated that the already overstretched health system in the country could get worse if no immediate action is taken by the federal government.
According to a statement released by the doctors, they call on the federal government to address the legitimate demands of Nigerians which is to #ENDSARS, #Endpolicebrutality to prevent more killings in the country.
The document revealed that the system is overwhelmed to a limit by COVID-19, adding that it should not be stretched more with trauma and gunshot cases as it’s been witnessed in Lekki, Lagos,Nigeria, some days ago.
The association said resident doctors are certified doctors undergoing residency to become consultants, noting that they make up a large percentage of doctors in Nigeria’s tertiary hospitals.
It noted that Nigeria is currently battling with civil unrest initiated by a protest against police brutality which has since degenerated into violence and deaths.
The #EndSARS protest, a campaign against police brutality, extra Judicial killings, extortion and harassment has continued in different states of Nigeria despite the scrapping of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other concessions made by the Nigerian government.
The association’s stated that NARD is against the backdrop of the continuous shootings of unarmed protesters by some men in military uniform at the Lekki toll gate on Tuesday night.
“Our members have also been at the receiving end of this dastardly act by members of the now-defunct Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS)” it said.
The statement also noted that during this period many people including the doctors are running away from the country simply because of the insecurity.
It also added that they should not make an already bad situation worse by giving the doctors more reasons to run away due to unrest in the country.
It calls for the removal of the military from streets and the police be refrained from shooting at unarmed citizens
Addressing the protesters, the association urged them to conduct themselves in good manners while demanding for change in the country.
“We call on the President of The Federal Republic of Nigeria and the National Assembly to please speak to Nigerians and address these legitimate demands.
“We call on protesters to conduct themselves peacefully and not to allow thugs and miscreants to take advantage of this protest,” it said.
“Our doors are opened for any injured protesters both in the State and Federal for the any special attention,” the association said.
I commend the position and camaraderie of these doctors towards nation building, this is a well structured piece Omolola.