Lagos state Resident doctors under the umbrella of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have embarked on an indefinite strike.
The strike which commences nationwide was announced by the
NARD President, Dr. Aliyu Sokomba who said the union has decided to exempt its members working in various coronavirus (COVID-19) isolation and treatment centres especially in Lagos.
This followed the virtual extra-ordinary National Executive Council meeting of the association held on Sunday.
Dr. Sokomba, stated that exemption of members attending to COVID-19 patients was for two weeks before they join the industrial action.
He explained that the union took the decision to go on strike as a result of series of failed meetings between the doctors and the Federal Government in the last two weeks.
According to the NARD president, the meetings have failed to resolve the lingering industrial disputes which include the non-payment of special allowances for resident doctors.
He lamented on the deplorable state of hospitals and lack of protective equipment for members of the union treating COVID-19 patients which has resulted in the death of some of them.
They embarked on the industrial action after warning last week that they would take on ‘a painful decision’ following the inability of the government to meet their demands.
“All resident doctors, medical officers below the rank of Principal Medical Officer (PMO), and House Officers across all the Federal and State Hospitals are expected to join the strike.”
The union has however asked the government to make alternative arrangements for the care of patients, including those at the COVID-19 isolation centres as its members there would join the industrial action in two weeks’ time.
Its demands include the provision of adequate PPE for all healthcare workers, the universal implementation of the Medical Residency Training Act in all Federal and State Hospitals and ensuring pay parity among doctors of equal cadre.
The doctors also seek that the government implement the revised hazard and payment of agreed COVID-19 inducement allowances
