Lara Adejoro
The National Association of Resident Doctors has asked its members to prepare for an indefinite nationwide strike from March 31, 2021.
In a new internal memo dated March 18, 2021, titled, ‘Impending Strike Action,’ made available to PUNCH HealthWise, doctors were asked to prepare mentally, socially, and financially for the industrial action.
The strike, according to the notice, is based on the failure of the government to implement certain agreements.
The memo read in part, “Recall that at our last ENEC, it was resolved that a two-week timeline for the government to expedite actions on issues brought to it.
“You would also recall that the January NEC gave an ultimatum that will elapse on March 31, 2021, for all pending issues to be addressed.
“In the light of the above, we ask that all members should be sensitised and encouraged to prepare to prepare mentally, socially, and financially for a strike action that will commence on March 31 indefinitely.”
Speaking with PUNCH HealthWise, President of the association, Dr. Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, said only 19 centres have been paid their salaries.
“The government is taking my simplicity for granted. Up till now, only 19 centres have been paid out of 42 centres. The government is yet to yield to what we discussed,” he said.
PUNCH HealthWise had reported that the resident doctors had, last Friday, suspended their plan to go on strike because government had commenced payment to House Officers and some resident doctors on the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System platform for over three months.
“With the intervention of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, who set up a committee chaired by the Chairman, House Committee on Healthcare Services, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Healthcare Services, doctors who are owed salaries are being paid,” Okhuaihesuyi had said.
The doctors are now threatening to resume the suspended strike action.
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