Nigerian doctors begin indefinite strike 

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has begun an indefinite strike in response to the government’s inability to meet their demands for better pay. The strike started Wednesday morning.

NARD President Emeka Orji said that the doctors are demanding full salary restoration, not just a percentage increase. He also said that the strike is necessary because Nigerians are facing significant hardship after the removal of petrol subsidy.

“We have also been requesting an upward review of the consolidated medical salary structure. Government is yet to handle the matter the way they are supposed to handle it. This time around, we are not calling any percentage again; what we are asking for is full salary restoration,” Mr Orji said.

– Learn more

In Nigeria, resident doctors are doctors who are on training to become specialists and consultants.

In May, the doctors went on strike for five days over the government’s failure to meet their demands, following their ultimatum in January.

On Monday, the speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, met with the group and requested a two-week grace period to help resolve the issue.

The doctors’ demands include the immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), the “upward review” of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), and payment of all salary arrears owed its members since 2015.

The association said that the federal government has not yet met their demands, especially given the current economic situation in the country. This has forced them to go on strike until the government responds positively.

The strike will further cripple government-owned hospitals in the country, meaning that Nigerians will have to spend more money on private hospitals for any medical attention.

– More demands

The association has warned that the strike will continue indefinitely until their demands are met. They have called on the government to act quickly to resolve the situation, as the strike is having a significant impact on the health of Nigerians.

Mr Orji said they want full restoration of the value of the group’s 2014 salary structure.

“We said before that this salary structure we are using was approved in 2009 and implemented in 2014,” he said.

“What we are saying is restore us back to the value of the salary as of 2014 because we know that inflation, exchange rate increment and fuel price has eroded the value.”