In a determined effort to underscore their demands, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has unveiled plans for daily nationwide protests and picketing of federal health institutions.
Following a recent virtual assembly of the National Executive Council (E-NEC), Dr. Orji Emeka Innocent, the association’s President, and Dr. Chikezie Kelechi, the Secretary-General, signed an official notice directed to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health. The notice indicated that the protests are scheduled to commence on Wednesday at 10 am.
This development follows an ongoing industrial action by NARD, which prompted the federal government to institute a ‘No work, No pay policy’ just three days ago.
To manage the situation, the Federal Ministry of Health, through a letter endorsed by Dr. Andrew Noah, Director of Hospital Services, has mandated Chief Medical Directors and medical directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals to maintain a monthly attendance register for willing resident doctors.
In response, NARD issued a formal protest notice, outlining their decision to embark on daily peaceful protests and picketing.
The areas of focus include the Federal Ministry of Health, the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, and all federal and state tertiary health institutions nationwide, beginning on August 9th, 2023.
In a statement, NARD emphasized the necessity of this action to give weight to their long-neglected demands, expressing disappointment that their repeated ultimatums for the resolution of underlying challenges leading to the industrial action have been met with insufficient efforts by the parent ministry and federal government. They lamented the portrayal of Nigerian resident doctors despite their sacrifices and dedication.
The statement stressed the urgency of shedding light on the decay and corruption plaguing the health sector and the prolonged neglect suffered by public health institutions.
NARD called on the government to address these issues genuinely before August 9th, 2023, in order to avoid further escalation.