Doctors give the FG a 72-hour deadline and list requirements to terminate the strike

Doctors give the FG a 72-hour deadline and list requirements to terminate the strike

The Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has been granted 72 hours to accede to some of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors’ (NARD) essential requests in order to end the strike.

Dr. Emeka Orji, National President of NARD, reportedly revealed this in an interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday, according to Opagnews.

Orji stated that although the planned statewide demonstration was postponed, the administration must still adhere to certain requirements in order to end the indefinite strike that started on July 26.

He stated that the publication of the circular for the one-for-one replacement of clinical staff and the payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund are the minimal requirements.

But he added that by Friday, August 12, NARD would determine whether to keep the strike going or call it off.

Orji stated, “We had a productive meeting yesterday (Tuesday) in the Villa and with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. It will not be good to have that level of discussion, and the next day, when we take to the streets to protest, it will appear as though there is a hidden agenda behind our requests.

“There aren’t enough doctors in our hospitals, thus the few of us that are left are being overworked, so our requests are pertinent. How much longer will we behave like that? They have promised to take the necessary action; we are hopeful that they will do so today (Wednesday) and tomorrow (Thursday). Since we are very understanding, I am confident that the National Executive Committee would give us the go-ahead to halt the strike if they are able to do those things.

“The first is the circular for one-for-one replacement, and the second is the 2023 MRTF fund. We will ask our members to call off the strike while we continue to negotiate for all of the wage arrears, skipping arrears, and other issues, if they are able to do so.

According to Orji, the government shouldn’t have any trouble implementing the one-for-one replacement without incurring additional costs.

“The government has a list of those who have departed, and it is necessary to replace them right away. The new hires are paid the wage you have budgeted to hire in their place. Therefore, doing it is not difficult. Since February, it has been agreed to do this, but nothing has been done. We are hopeful the administration will follow through on this, he continued.