Warning strikes declared by resident doctors – FG kicks

May 17th, Wednesday, through May 22nd are the dates for the strike.

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Monday announced a five-day warning strike because it was concerned that the Federal Government might not have met its demands.

The doctors’ National Executive Council (NEC), which met in virtual session on Monday, made the decision to downtool.

In a WhatsApp message to Channels Television, Dr. Emeka Orji, president of NARD, acknowledged the occurrence.

On the other hand, he stated that a press release would be made accessible to journalists and that he would have a press conference on Tuesday, May 16.

The Federal Government and resident doctors have been at odds over a variety of issues, including their members’ poor wellbeing and inadequate compensation.

As stated in the association’s letter to the minister of health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, dated July 7, 2022, regarding the review of CONMESS, they are asking for an immediate increase in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure of 20% of the current gross salaries of doctors and the new allowances mentioned in the letter.

The Federal Government was given a two-week deadline to implement the agreements by the association on April 29 or face labor unrest.

No need for a strike, FG.
However, the federal government criticized the action as needless in response to the planned strike by the irate resident doctors.

Following a special Federal Executive Council meeting, the Labour Minister, Dr. Chris Ngige, gave a press conference in Abuja and stated that the association’s parent organization, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), has already begun discussing the matter with the appropriate government agencies.

The NMA is the parent organization of all doctors in Nigeria, and it has four or five affiliate associations, one of which is the association of resident doctors, he said. “On the demand for a 200% salary increase,” he added.

“The Medical and Dental Consultants Association (MEDIAN) are the consultants who are instructing these medical doctors in becoming specialists. Additionally, there are doctors who work in the private sector and a general medical practitioner association.

Thus, everyone—including myself—has NMA as their father. Accordingly, NMA is in discussions with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Salaries, Income, and Wages Commission, and the Ministry of Labour. As far as we are aware, NMA has agreed to a salary increase for its members that ranges from 25% to 30%.

Consequently, I am unsure of the reasoning behind why NMA members are now approaching me and demanding a 200% wage raise. It escapes my comprehension.

Since the government negotiates remuneration with the NMA, I called the NMA President to get in touch with them. In order to engage them, I have instructed the NMA President to get in touch with them. Since it is unnecessary, they shouldn’t go on strike.