The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has declared their intention to stage peaceful protests starting from August 9, 2023, if the Federal Government does not fulfill their demands. They also plan to carry out demonstrations at key government institutions and healthcare centers across the nation.
This decision was communicated through an official circular titled “Notice of nationwide mass protests and picketing by NARD.” The circular, signed by Dr. Emeka Orji, the President of the association, and Dr. Kelechi Chikezie, the Secretary General, was addressed to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Olufunso Adebiyi.
Having commenced an indefinite strike on July 26, 2023, following the lapse of a two-week ultimatum they had given to the government, NARD is advocating for several reforms.
These include the implementation of a one-for-one replacement policy for healthcare staff, cessation of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria’s practice of downgrading membership certificates from West African Postgraduate Medical and Surgical Colleges, immediate settlement of salary arrears, adoption of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, establishment of a new hazard allowance, and enactment of the Medical Residency Training Act, among other stipulations.
Responding to the situation, the Federal Government issued a circular on August 1, 2023, instructing Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors in Federal Tertiary Hospitals to enforce the “no work, no pay” policy against striking NARD members, while also maintaining an attendance register for resident doctors who are willing to continue their duties.
However, in a subsequent circular dated August 5, 2023, NARD announced their intention to escalate their efforts. They revealed plans to engage in daily peaceful protests and picketing as a means to further emphasize their demands and put pressure on the government for a resolution.
The statement partly reads, “We wish to bring to your notice, the decision of the National Executive Council of NARD to embark on daily peaceful protests and picketing of the Federal Ministry of Health, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, as well as all federal and state tertiary health institutions nationwide, with effect from Wednesday, August 9, 2023, by 10 am.
“This has become necessary to press home our demands which have been largely neglected by our parent ministry and the Federal Government. We are pained that rather than make genuine and concerted efforts to resolve the challenges that led to the industrial action despite repeated ultimatums, our parent ministry and the Federal Government have chosen to demonise Nigerian resident doctors instead, after all, their sacrifices and patriotism.
“We, therefore, resolved that it is time the whole world hears our side of the story – the decay and corruption in the health sector, as well as the neglect the public health institutions have suffered all these years that led to repeated industrial actions.
“We believe that the government still has time to genuinely address the issues at stake before Wednesday, 9th August 2023, or leave us with no other option.”
