The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to meet its demands or face industrial action.
The Association urged Fedetal Government to implement resolutions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreed on, which was Chaired by the former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige.
On April 29, 2023, the NARD issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to meet its demands. The ultimatum ended on May 13, 2023, but on Wednesday, May 17, the Association began its five-day warning strike over unmet demands and elapsed on Monday, May 22.
NARD demands include, 200 per cent review of their Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), issuance of a circular by the Federal Ministry of Health for replacement of doctors and nurses that have left the system with new ones, and the payment of salary arrears, improvement in hazard allowance by State Governments, among others.
Dr. Emeka Orji in a statement at an extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting stated that “NEC demands the immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), as contained in the approved 2023 budget, in line with various agreements we’ve reached with the government”.
