Nationwide healthcare services face disruption as resident doctors launch a 5-day warning strike, highlighting issues of inadequate pay and working conditions. Learn more about the reasons and potential outcomes of this action.
The management of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) in Zaria is being urged by the resident doctors to meet their salary demands through a five-day warning strike.
In a briefing held in Zaria, Dr. Ashiru Mikail – the Vice President of the National Association of Resident Doctors’ (NARD) hospital chapter – revealed this information.
After the hospital management failed to resolve issues within a one-week ultimatum, a warning strike began early Monday morning. Dr. Mikail warned that if these concerns persist, the association will meet once again to decide on their next course of action.
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The demands of the association entail dismissing percentage salary payments for those on the GIFMIS platform and prompt reimbursement of portions of physicians’ salaries that were formerly retained.
Last month, Dr. Mikail brought attention to the fact that salaries for certain members had been cut by approximately 25-27%, equating to a decrease of N58,000-N60,000.
Furthermore, these doctors have yet to receive payment for salary arrears from 2021 despite being paid a percentage in June of 2024.
Although the country is experiencing harsh economic conditions, the hospital management has not offered a clear explanation for the reduced salaries.
Dr. Mikail revealed that as part of their proposed solution to catch up on unpaid accoutrement allowances, they suggested allocating N2 million from overhead costs each month towards this expense.
