Doctors join ASUU, begin indefinite strike

Resident doctors In the country have announced their decision to commence an indefinite strike starting today (Monday).

They reached the decision after a meeting that lasted several hours, running into the early hours of the day.

The doctors under the aegis of National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) rose from a meeting which started by 7pm Sunday night and ended 3am Monday morning, to announce the decision.

Recall that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is also on an indefinite strike, and negotiations in that regards are supposed to continue after the Sallah holidays.

However, a one paragraph statement signed by NARD President, Dr. Onyebueze John in Abuja simply said, “Rising from our NEC meeting, which started by 7pm yesterday and ended 3am today. NARD has resolved to reject the promissory offer from Government, and proceed on total and indefinite strike action until all items in her demand list for strike action are resolved by Government.”

The association had last week held a meeting with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige and the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole in efforts to avert the strike.

NARD however rejected offers made by the government, but opted for an indefinite strike, which the doctors said they will sustain until all their demands are met.

Dr. Olusegun Olaopa, the President of NARDs, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, had earlier last week announced that the association would embark on a nationwide strike effective September 4.

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Olaopa had stated that the action is sequel to a statement signed by Drs. John Onyebueze and Aneke Emmanuel, National President and Secretary of NARDs, respectively.

The statement said it was resolved at the NEC meeting of NARDs held in Abuja on Aug. 26 to embark on the strike.

It read, “Neither the federal nor state governments has shown commitment to the resolution of issues at stake nor honoured previous agreements.

“Consequent upon this, the association resolved to proceed on a total indefinite industrial action from Monday, September 4, 2017, until all these issues are permanently resolved.

“Nationwide pre-strike protests against this injustice are to hold in all our branches and states of the federation on Aug. 30, 2017.

“All heads of tertiary health institutions who have received funding for payments to our members should be directed to pay same immediately,” it said.

The members of NARDs are demanding for the resolution of persistent shortfalls and unpaid arrears of salaries earned in both federal and state tertiary health institutions.

Other issues are the enrolment of resident doctors into the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) since 2003, and non-implementation of adjusted House Officers’ Entry grade level equivalent since 2014.

They are also asking for the resolution of issues around their stagnation of promotion and non-promotion of members who have met requisite criteria despite all collective bargaining agreements and circulars.

 

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