The looming crisis in the health sector
has come to a head as resident doctors
across the country have embarked on a
nationwide indefinite strike.
This was announced after a meeting of
the leadership of the National
Association of Resident Doctors (NARD)
that ended in the wee hours of Monday,
Vanguard writes.
In a brief statement to make their stand
known, the President of NARD,
Onyebueze John, said they’ve decided to
turn down government’s offer and would
go on strike until all their demand are
met.
“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 one-paragraph statement read.
The doctors’ decision came in spite of
assurances by the Minister of Labour, Dr
Chris Ngige, who on Saturday announced
the cancellation of the planned strike
after a meeting with the doctors.
His announcement was however
debunked by the aggrieved doctors who
said though they met with the
government, they were yet to take a
decision.
Following the strike action, healthcare in
public secondary and tertiary hostpitals
in the country, particularly the teaching
hospitals, will be paralysed with
thousands of patients left for dead.
The doctors’ strike also coincides with
the industrial action embarked upon by
the Academic Staff Union of Universities,
ASUU, since August.
Government is presently engaged in a
series of meetings with the lecturers to
return to the classes, and now they have
to expedite the negotiating process
following the health sector shutdown.
