Resident doctors give FG two-week ultimatum to address demands

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to address outstanding issues affecting the welfare and professional development of its members.

The association warned that failure to resolve the issues within the period could lead to industrial action.

NARD issued the ultimatum at its 46th annual general meeting held on Sunday in Calabar, Cross River State.

Reading the resolutions of the meeting, Ogar Emmanuel Idoko, NARD national president, expressed concern over what the association described as the slow implementation of agreements reached with the Federal Government.

The doctors said the prolonged delays had become unacceptable and called for immediate action on issues including remuneration, career progression, professional allowances, excessive workload, manpower shortages and general welfare.

NARD demanded “the immediate implementation of agreements reached with the federal government, particularly those relating to improved conditions of service and professional development”.

The association also said the government had concluded a review of existing remuneration and professional salary structures for doctors, noting that the current framework no longer adequately reflected prevailing economic realities.

“The government concluded the review of existing remuneration and professional salary structures for doctors, saying the current framework no longer adequately reflected prevailing economic realities,” the resolution reads.

The doctors further demanded appropriate compensation for additional workloads resulting from manpower shortages in hospitals.

According to the association, resident doctors are increasingly taking on responsibilities beyond their normal duties because of staffing gaps.

NARD called for standardised templates for compensating doctors for excess workload, as well as reliable data to support payments to medical personnel performing additional duties.

The association also expressed concern over attacks on health workers and called for the full implementation of existing policies and anti-assault measures aimed at protecting doctors and other medical personnel in hospitals.

It further raised concerns over the continued migration of doctors and other health professionals from Nigeria.

NARD urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to urgently address the factors driving the migration of medical professionals.

The association also called on state governments to prioritise the welfare of doctors and other health workers in their respective institutions and ensure the implementation of relevant welfare policies.