Resident doctors threaten to resume strike August 17

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), has warned that it will be forced to resume its suspended strike if the Federal Government fails to address its demands.

The group stated this in a communique it issued on Saturday after the virtual meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) in Gombe.

The communique was signed by the NARD President, Dr. Sokomba Aliyu; Secretary General, Dr. Bilqis Muhammad and Publicity/Social Secretary, Dr. Egbogu Stanley

It stressed that: “NEC resolved to extend the suspension of our strike action by 3-weeks to give government time to address our demands, failure of which will leave us with no choice other than to resume the suspended strike on Monday, August 17, 2020.”

While enumerating its many demands, the NARD said: “NEC demands immediate removal of the Chief Medical Director of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Prof Henry Ugboma for fraud, administrative rascality, unnecessary onslaught/ victimization and abuse of office of the chief medical director.

“We also demand the immediate and unconditional reinstatement of the suspended UPTH ARD EXCOs led by Dr. Solomon Amadi

“NEC demands that the various hospitals should be provided with the funds they need to run the hospitals and sustain the provision of the needed personal protective equipment in the hospitals

“NARD demands the immediate implementation and funding of the medical residency training Act as agreed.

NARD demands payment of salary shortfall to her members.

“NARD demands payment of COVID- 19 hazard allowance to her members which is now long overdue.

“NARD calls on FG/ National assembly to investigate and look into the non-enrollment of health care workers for the Group life insurance, and non-payment of Death in service benefit to the next of kin of our fallen heroes despite claims of payment to insurance companies.

“NEC demands immediate payment of the arrears consequential adjustment of the new minimum wage owed some doctors.

“NARD calls on the state government to implement the Medical Residency Training Act and to ensure adequate remuneration of state health workers.”