Resident doctors threaten nationwide strike from August 10

Resident doctors have warned that they may begin a nationwide strike from 8 a.m. on August 10 if long-running welfare and salary issues are not settled.

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors issued the warning after its July National Executive Council meeting in Gombe. The association said the Federal Government had been slow in carrying out earlier agreements despite repeated extensions of its ultimatum.

The doctors are asking for payment of outstanding 25 to 35 per cent CONMESS salary review arrears, 19 months of professional allowance arrears, promotion arrears and other unpaid entitlements across several federal health institutions.

NARD also raised concerns about assaults on healthcare workers, poor public hospital facilities, shortage of health workers and heavy out-of-pocket costs for patients. It called for better funding, upgraded equipment, improved power supply and stronger protection for doctors on duty.

The warning adds pressure to the health sector because resident doctors handle a large share of clinical work in public hospitals. If the strike begins, services in federal and state hospitals could be disrupted across the country.

Sources: Punch, Daily Trust