The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) will begin an indefinite strike nationwide from Thursday, April 1.
It was gathered that the industrial action follows the expiration of a 60-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to pay the salary arrears of house officers across the country and review hazard allowance, among other demands.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of an extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting signed by its president, secretary-general and publicity social secretary on Saturday in Abuja.
The doctors’ association while decrying the meagre N5,000 hazard allowance paid to its members, also noted that since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, it has lost 17 doctors, whose families and loved ones were yet to benefit from the Death in Service Insurance Scheme.
According to Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, “The NEC unanimously agreed that NARD should proceed on a total and indefinite strike on the 1st of April 2021, by 8 am if the following demands are not met.
“Immediate payment of all salaries owed to all house officers including March salaries (regardless of quota system) before the end of business on the 31st of March 2021.
“The NEC unanimously demanded the sack of the Registrar of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for failure to demonstrate competence in the handling of the central placement of house officers.
“This will give room for smooth implementation of the central placement of house officers without further delays.”