Posted by A nationwide industrial stalemate is about to break out due to several unsolved concerns, according to the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, or NARD.
According to NARD, the unaddressed issues are endangering the peace and harmony of the healthcare industry.
NARD expressed gratitude to the government for its efforts in resolving some of the issues stated in a statement by its president, Emeka Innocent Orji, but requested that focus be directed toward other unresolved issues.
In a letter to Senate President Ahmad Lawan, House Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha, and the Department of State Services (DSS), NARD raised the alert.
The body recalled issuing an ultimatum to the Federal Government six months prior due to lingering unresolved issues affecting our members. These issues included irregularities in the new circular on the upward review of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), unpaid arrears of the new hazard allowance, nonpayment of the skipping arrears for 2014, 2015, and 2016, nonpayment of the consequential adjustment of the minimum wage to some of our members, an unpaid arrears for (CONMESS).
Others include the non-domestication of the Medical Residency Training Act (MRTA) in the majority of states across the Federation and the salary arrears of our members in State Tertiary Health Institutions that extend into many months, including Abia, Imo, Ondo, Ekiti, and Gombe States.
We truly appreciate the government’s attempts to address some of the issues identified through the ministries, departments, and agencies, according to the statement.
“However, a lot of them are still mostly unresolved and are now major national sources of agitation that endanger industrial peace and harmony in the healthcare industry.
“Sir, we can confirm unequivocally that if these issues are not resolved before our January 2023 National Executive Council meeting—which is scheduled for January 24–28, 2023—our members will likely mandate that we immediately begin the processes that will result in a nationwide industrial upheaval in the health sector.
“Sir, we respectfully ask you to utilize your good offices to fix these concerns before our January NEC meeting. We are aware of how crucial this period is and the chaos that will result if the government does not take action to prevent this from happening.
We feel that you would come to our assistance and spare this country from the impending industrial disharmony because of your fatherly nature, sir.
Other unresolved issues listed by NARD include the 2020 MRTF payment that was left out, irregularities in the new MRTF circular that were in violation of the Medical Residency Training Act, current Collective Bargaining Agreements, the state of the economy, and the review of CONMESS salary structures.