Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, has given a 14-day ultimatum to governments at all levels to reiterate her commitment to the welfare of her members across the country, saying failure to meet her demands will dovetail into total and indefinite nationwide strike.
The association requested for the immediate implementation of the reviewed hazard allowance and payment of the COVID-19 inducement allowance.
Although the Federal Government on Tuesday has stated its decision to pay the frontline health workers their hazard allowance for the months of April and May before Friday, June 12, 2020.
Minister for Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, disclosed this at a meeting between representatives of the Federal Government and Health Professional Associations.
Dr Aliyu Sokomba, National President of NARD, had said in an official letter with reference number NARD/SG/2019-2020/070620/246, that the association found it necessary to take “the painful decision” following the inability of the government to meet its ddemands.
Other demands put forth by NARD are: “immediate reversal of the illegitimate disengagement of 26 doctors from the Jos University Teaching Hospital; Payment of all salaries owned them in accordance to medical residence training act; and implementation of medical residency training act”.
The count-down reminder to the expiration of the ultimatum addressed to the President, Major General Mohammed Buhari (retd) on its twitter page reads in part.
“ The association demands payment of of all owed arrears of the consequential adjustment of the minimum wage to her members and implementation of such in all state tertiary institutions.
“The association condemns in totality the illegitimate, unjust and callous cut in salaries of our members by some state governments and demands immediate stoppage and refund.
“The OGM calls on security agencies to be professional and desist from harassment and assault of doctors in the line of duty”.