NARD Berates Abia, Imo Gov’t Over Colleagues’ Salaries, Set To Resume Strike
The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) say it would resume total and strike action if federal and state governments fail to address issues of welfare of their members across the country within two weeks.
The ultimatum was contained in a communiqué raised at the end of the 41st Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) which was held in Nnewi/Awka, Anambra between May 25 and May 29.
The theme of the OGM was “Career Pathways
For Doctors: Addressing The Needless Controversies And The Way
Forward”
The communiqué was read by Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, National President of NARD in the company of other members of executive on Saturday.
Okhuaihesuyi said the strike was suspended following government promises as entailed in the Memorandum of Actions signed at the instance of Labour Dr Chris Ngige on April 9 2021
He said the delays in payment of members on the GIFMIS
platform for over four months which has caused hardship for NARD members while urging government to expedite action towards migrating them to IPPIS.
NARD also expressed concerns about the conditions of their members in Abia and Imo States who were currently owed salaries of 21 and seven months arrears respectively.
“While the OGM notes the willingness of government to migrate members
from the GIFMIS to the IPPIS Platform, we decry the lackluster behavior exhibited by heads of government parastatal to achieving this.
“Our members are still in agony as a result of these delays and some House Officers are still owed up to two months salaries.
“The OGM noted with dismay the stale attitude of the Governors of Abia and Imo state and their appointees towards addressing the issues of payment of salaries for 21 months and 7 months respectively,” he said.
NARD said national minimum wage, consequential adjustment and salary shortfalls had not been paid, noting that Chief Medical Directors had been mandated to submit lists of affected institutions and personnel strength.
The OGM frowned at the delay by Federal Government in sorting out
the irregularities following the payment of the Medical Residency
Training Fund (MRTF) 2020.
“We noted that teaching hospitals are grossly understaffed and this is necessitated by the ongoing deadly brain drain killing the nation’s
health care system.
“After extensive deliberations on all the issues affecting welfare of our
members and insincerity of government in fulfilling their promises, the
OGM unanimously resolved that our ultimatum be extended by two
weeks.
“This will further give the federal government more time to resolve all
our issues, failure of which the association shall resume the suspended
total and indefinite strike action after critical appraisal in an emergency
meeting.
“We are unequivocal in assuring members of the public that the NARD is committed to the smooth running of the health sector.
“However, we can only do so when our welfare is given the desired attention,” he said.
On his part, Dr Dubem Awachie, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee described the 2021 OGM as a huge success and that the outcome would go a long way making lives off members better.
Awachie thanked God that the nation converged on Anambra without any untoward development in spite the tension in the country.
He thanked the Anambra government, the Chief Medical Directors of Azikiwe and Ojukwu Varsities Teaching Hospitals for their immense support towards the success of the week long event.
