The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), has announced the suspension of its indefinite strike which started on June 15, with effect from Monday, June 22, 2020.
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The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) says it embarked on natonwide strike to press home members demand for i,proved welfare and working condition.
Dr Adejo Arome, the ARD President, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
Arome explained that members refused to call off the strike aimed at providing better remunerations, working conditions and modern equipment for members.
The ARD president said doctors are working under what he called inhumane and unhealthy conditions that exposed them to dangers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the medical doctors had on June 4, issued a 21-day ultimatum threatening to embark on industrial action should the government fail to meet their demands.
Arome urged State Government to ensure that doctors and other healthcare workers in state owned institutions have remunerations at par with their counterparts in federal institutions.
He, however, lamented that government has not shown enough commitment that would necessitate the suspension of the strike.
He advised all members of the association to stay at home until further directives were given from the NARD on the two weeks industrial strike.
Arome, who expressed deep regret on any disruption the action would cause patients, explained that the association gave a two-week ultimatum to avert the strike, but no action was taken.
“It is a known fact that we are serving humanity but it should not be at the detriment of our own wellbeing as the welfare of every health worker is important.
“Government’s insincerity further deepens the discouragement experienced by members as they face the outbreak on coronavirus,’’ he said.
He lamented that in spite the very infectious nature of COVID-19 and other related diseases there is no insurance cover for the health workers.
He, however, called on all training institutions to immediately domesticate the medical residency training act, while appreciating the FMC, Jabi, for domesticating the Act.
Arome also condemned the casualisation of doctors and other healthcare workers that are employed and being used extensively but they end up getting meager wages.
He appreciated the association’s members who were working without fear in the face of the pandemic, while also appreciating their family members who have been supportive all along.
“We appreciate and stand by the NARD NOC in its resolve to ensure that the Nigerian doctors and healthcare workers were treated fairly,” he stated.
The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) of Nigeria on Monday commenced a nationwide indefinite strike. This is coming after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued on the 30th of May.
The President of NARD, Dr. Aliyu Sokomba, announced this in a press briefing in Abuja.
He stated that the Association’s decision is predicated on the fact that the healthcare delivery system is characterised by the perpetual unavailability of personnel protective equipment (PPEs) for healthcare workers, which has caused an increase in infection rates.
He also noted that in spite of repeated promises, the Federal Government has still not paid the COVID-19 hazard inducement allowance to all health workers across the country.
Also, the implementation of the Medical Residency Training Act in all Federal and State hospital, which ensures the inclusion of the residency funding into the reviewed 2020 budget, has not been effected.
According to Sokomba, “NEC noted the sorry state of the healthcare delivery system characterized by the perpetual unavailability of personnel protective equipment for healthcare workers in our hospitals with the attendant increase in infection rates, the unnecessary suffering of patients and their relatives, the financial hardship, the obsolete equipment, machines and technology etc.
“NEC noted the commitment of National Assembly speaker to implement the Medical Residency Training Act by ensuring inclusion of the residency funding into the reviewed 2020 budget.
“NEC observed the insincerity of the Appointees of Executive Arm of Government in paying the outstanding salary shortfall of 2014, 2015, 2016 under the guise of the so called appeal of the National Industrial Court decision.
“NEC observed non-payment of the COVID-19 hazard inducement allowance to all health workers across the country in spite of repeated promises by the government.”
He added, “NEC observed that the plight of her members in state tertiary hospitals such as the non-domestication and non-implementation of Medical Residency Training Act at the state level, the non-implementation of appropriate salary structure, and the non-payment of owed salaries and recently, the slashing of salaries of doctors and other health care workers by Kaduna and Kogi State government is yet to receive attention by the stakeholders.
“NEC Noted the meddlesome and abuse of administrative power by Professor Henry A.A.”
Sokomba said the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NARD therefore resolved to proceed on an indefinite nationwide strike action with the exemption of its members attending to COVID-19 patients at designated COVID -19 treatment and isolation centres for two weeks, after which if things remain the same, they shall also be co-opted to join the strike.
He said this exemption is in recognition of the intervention of the Honorable speaker, House of Representative, the chairman, house committee on health services Dr. Tanko Sununu and other stakeholders as well as a demonstration of our good will to Nigerians.
The Association, therefore, demands: “The provision of the grossly inadequate appropriate Personal Protective Equipment for all Healthcare workers.
“The universal Implementation of the Medical Residency Training Act in all Federal and State hospitals and ensuring pay parity among doctors of equal cadre.
“The immediate implementation of the revised Hazard allowance and payment of the COVID-19 inducement allowance as agreed with by the Government and Healthcare Workers 3 months ago.
“The provision of funding for Medical Residency Training in the 2021 Appropriation bill.
“The payment of all arrears owed our members in Federal and States tertiary health institutions, arising from the consequential adjustment of the National minimum wage.
“The stoppage and immediate refund of all illegal, unjust and callous cut in salaries of our members by Kaduna State and other state governments.”
The Association urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to call relevant agents/agencies to order for deliberately creating chaos to destabilize his administration.
The National Executive Council meeting of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) held virtually on 14th June 2020, to review the 14-day ultimatum issued to government which elapsed two days ago.
The meeting was attended by over 500 doctors – NOC, NEC, Past Presidents, Caucus leaders, Committee Chairmen, and observers.
Source: The Nation
The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) chapter, on Monday urged the Federal Government to pay their allowances to avoid industrial action.
Dr Lanre Olosunde, the branch President of ARD, in a statement in Ilorin warned that the strike would commence on June 15, if their demand was not addressed
Olosunde said that health workers were poorly paid in spite the hazard encountered with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, incurring extra expenses and facing greater health risks.
According to him, the federal government wants to stall and if possible renege on agreement signed to pay hazard allowance to health workers.
“There is no better time for a government to prioritise health, workers and institutions.
”It is seven-days to a national indefinite strike by resident doctors. This strike is avertable if the government honours the agreement.
“The government should not be insensitive to doctors who have been in the front line especially in the on-going battle against COVID-19.
“Resident doctors constitute one of the major human power driving the healthcare of the nation,” the local ARD president said.
Olosunde said that many doctors have died in the line of duty after been exposed to dangerous diseases, urging government to do the needful.
“We have negotiated like gentlemen over and over again, but we have been left with no other option than to speak out loud and clear with a strike since the government has refused to do the needful,” he said.
Olosunde noted that the implications of being a health worker in the COVID-19 crisis was that while others stayed at home during the lock down, health workers went to work.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige says there will be consequences if the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) refuse government’s overture to return to the negotiating table.
Ngige disclosed this on Sunday in a statement signed by his media aide, Emmanuel Nzomiwu, in Enugu.
The statement said Ngige spoke in his hometown Alor, Anambra, where he donated palliative worth N15 million to vulnerable households to cushion COVID-19 effects.
He said that the Federal Government could activate relevant labour laws to deal with the situation.
He said that the law permits the Federal Government to approach the National Arbitration Panel (NAP) and even the National Industrial Court (NIC).
The minister said that the ASUU strike was all about the disagreement on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
“Any other reason given by ASUU is an alibi. I invited ASUU for a zoom meeting in compliance with COVID-19 guidelines, but they insisted on meeting me face to face.
“We have labour laws and hierarchy of arbitration. There is the NAP and NIC. If I am tired, I can refer it there.
“So the better thing is for them to come and negotiate on firsthand basis where we are not bringing an external arbitrator,” he said.
According to him, ASUU as an employee lacks the right to dictate to the Federal Government on how to receive wages.
“The important thing is for your salaries and wages to come to you. As a workman, you receive your pay as compensation for services rendered. So, that is on the statute everywhere,” he said.
Ngige said that some of the people drawing salaries from the Federal Government coffers were ghost workers.
He said that there had been a shortfall in tax returns by the various universities over time which accumulated to over N800 billion.
He said that the Joint Tax Board (JTB) had penalised the Federal Government for nonremitance of the monies to the benefiting state governments.
The minister said that it was sad that ASUU had been uncompromising in the dispute.
“We had discussions and they said some of the agreements we had in Memorandum of Action 2019, were not implemented vigorously.
“We agreed that they will be paid N25billion for their earned academic allowances and another N25billion for revitalisation of university system.
“The Federal Government paid the first tranche of N50 billion and N25 billion. Thereafter, there was the issue of National Minimum Wage and its consequential adjustment,” he said.
He said that the Federal Government spent N160 billion in the process.
Ngige said that the Federal Government could not pay ASUU the next tranche of N25 billion in October last year.
“They said there is a breach. We said we are owing. That we can pay it. So, we restructured it and agreed that the government can pay them 20 billion and another 20 billion for earned academic allowances between April 2020 and May.
“We all agreed,” Ngige said.
Resident Doctors in the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) Akwa Ibom, have threatened to down tools in the state over allege assault on one of their members by a security operative.
This was contained in a statement, jointly signed by its President, Dr Paul Walshak, Secretary, Dr Ekemini Bassey and Publicity Secretary, Dr Ekomobong Udoh and made available to newsmen in Uyo on Sunday.
The association condemned the brutalisation of Dr David Daniel Edet, while going to work.
According to it, the police Sgt. Alexander Edidiong, allegedly refused to let Dr Edet pass the road block mounted along Nung Oku junction to enforce the restriction of movement order.
It added that in spite of the fact that Edet produced his valid means of identification as a medical doctor on duty, the police sergeant still went ahead to assault the medical doctor.
“Despite appropriately identifying himself as a doctor with his Identity card and stating he was on his way to the hospital, Sgt. Alexander Edidiong, refused to let him pass the road block mounted along Nung Oku junction.
“To enforce the restriction of movement order issued by the Akwa Ibom government which clearly exempts healthcare care workers on essential duties.
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“Dr David Daniel Edet continued to impress on Sgt. Alexander Edidiong on the need to allow him go to perform his essential duty but instead, the officer got angry and using a big stick, struck Dr David on his left forearm leading to a fracture of the left ulna bone and dislocation of the left wrist which were confirmed by X-rays obtained last night.
“Based on the foregoing and following the resolutions of an emergency Exco meeting of the association of resident doctors, UUTH, we hereby make the following demands on the Nigerian police.
“They issue within the next 48 hours, a public release apologising on the action of their officer and, guaranteeing the safety and freedom from molestation of our members who will be required to move around providing much needed healthcare services at this time.
“Publicly discipline the police officer who brutalised Dr Edet.
“Adequately compensate Dr Edet for the impact of the injuries he sustained on his career and defray the cost of all the medical bills that will be incurred in the course of his treatment,” it stated.
It also urged the police authority to commence the process of performing a psychiatry evaluation to determine the mental fitness of its officers and men that would be stationed at various road blocks in the state to save innocent public.
The association also said they would be left with no other option than to direct all their members not to report at work, remain in their houses including those volunteers at the state’s COVID-19 isolation centres as the safety of their lives could not be guaranteed.
However, in a statement issued by Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom Police Command, Mr Nnudam Fredrick, said the police sergeant had faced orderly room trial and was found guilty and demoted to the rank of a corporal.
He said the Commissioner of Police, CP Imohimi Edgal, had met with the leadership of Nigeria Medical Association and Association of Resident Doctors over the incident.
“The erring officer who has been in detention, was subjected to orderly room trial in line with the Police Act and Regulations and was found guilty by the adjudicating officer.
“The orderly room proceeding was reviewed and he was reduced in rank from Sergeant to Corporal,” he said.
He said the CP has directed all Area Commanders and DPOs to effectively supervise their officers and men, and warned them to discharge their duties professionally as any further act of indiscipline would be met with unpalatable consequences.
The Zimbabwean government on Friday said it has so far fired 435 junior doctors at public hospitals for engaging in an illegal strike.
The doctors have been on strike since early September to demand better pay and improved working conditions.
The Labor Court in October declared the strike illegal, but the doctors have been defiant and continued with the strike, paralysing operations at major public health institutions in the country.
The Health Service Board has 45 more disciplinary cases to handle for the doctors.
Acting information minister, Mangaliso Ndlovu told reporters at a news briefing that the government has always been open to dialogue with the doctors and that firing them was a last resort.
Mr Ezekiel Mondyau, the Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area in Plateau, has appealed to striking workers of the council to call off the strike, pledging to pay them promotion arrears and meet their other demands.
Mondyau made the appeal on Tuesday while addressing the workers at the council’s secretariat.
“I will always support you to get what belongs to you as my loyal staff,” he said.
The workers of the 17 local government areas of Plateau had on Monday embarked on strike over 11 demands including implementation of nine-year-old N18,000 minimum wage, promotion arrears and financial autonomy.
he protesting local government workers had shut the gates to the secretariats of the local governments.
The workers insisted that until their 11-point demands were met, the secretariats would remain closed.
“As workers, we need to understand each other in our collective interest and for our own progress.
“Government is aware that you are entitled to your dues, as Gov. Simon Lalong always emphasises. So rest assured that the government will give you your dues at all times.
“I have gotten your letter, which contains your demands and I wish to assure you that those within my powers such as your promotion shall be implemented,’’ Mondyau said.
The chairman advised the striking workers to be law-abiding and show understanding with his council.
Earlier, Mr Arandong Makwin, who doubles as Plateau Tripartite Union Chairman and Chairman, Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Barkin Ladi, commended the courage of the council chairman in addressing them.
Makwin, commended the chairman for accepting to implement the staff promotions and other demands within his powers.
“We as workers of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area can testify that as our new chairman, you have started well and pray and hope that you will end well.
“What bothers us most is nine-year-old N18,000 minimum wage that we have never enjoyed and hope that you will help take this message to our dear governor to consider us and pay us without delay.
“Today, Nigerian workers are talking about N30,000 minimum wage but surprisingly, we are still on N18,000 which many have enjoyed over nine years now,’’ Makwin said.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Compliance, Mr Dennis Idahosa, has commended the Federal Government and organised labour over the peaceful resolution on the full implementation of the new national minimum wage.
Idahos, who gave the commendation in a statement on Friday in Benin on Friday said that strike would have further impacted negatively on the nation’s economy, were it not that it was averted.
The federal government and the labour unions finally sorted out the issues of consequential adjustment for other categories of workers after three days of meeting which ended early today.
Under the agreement reached, the core civil servants on grade level 7 are to get (23.2 per cent) adjustment; grade level 8 (20 per cent); grade level 9 (19 per cent); grade levels 10 to14 (16 per cent); and grade levels 15 to 17, (14 per cent).
President Muhammadu Buhari had on April 18, signed the new minimum wage act into law.
Idahosa said that the peaceful resolution of the issues had further demonstrated that Nigeria could make headway when By challenges confronting the country were discussed on a round table.
He said, “To me, this peaceful resolution has demonstrated the never give up spirit, the key actors were able to sit and find a way out of the logjam.”
The lawmaker urged Nigerian workers to go about their normal duty of moving the country forward since the issues had been resolved.
The chairman also said they needed not to worry about when the implementation of the minimum wage would commence.
The lawmaker reiterated that the National Assembly (NASS) had always been willing to come out with policies that would not be detrimental to the welfare of the Nigerian workers.
Striking Zimbabwe government junior doctors remained on strike on Monday despite a Labour Court ruling issued on Friday giving them 48 hours to return to work.
The doctors went on strike on Sept. 3 demanding better working conditions and improved salaries.
Their direct employer, the Health Service Board, took the matter to the Labour Court which on Friday determined that the strike was illegal and that the doctors should return to work.
The Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association on Sunday said that it had “noted with great dismay” the Labour Court ruling.
“While doctors would want nothing more than to return to work in service of their patients, they continue to be incapacitated and lack the resources to allow them to comply with the Labour Court judgment.
“An appeal will be lodged with the Supreme Court,” the association said.
A source at the country’s largest medical referral centre, the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, on Monday said that the doctors had not reported for duty.
“They are saying that the court order does not capacitate them (to perform their duties) and have, therefore, appealed against the ruling at the Supreme Court,” the source said.