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  • FG officially unbundles ASUU, NARD; CONUA, NAMDA get certificates

    FG officially unbundles ASUU, NARD; CONUA, NAMDA get certificates

    The Federal Government on Tuesday presented certificates of registration to the newly registered Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA).

    Sen. Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, presented the certificates to the unions at a ceremony in Abuja.

    “In doing this, both unions are officially recognised and have been registered to unbundle the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) as well as the National Association of Resident Doctors(NARD),” Ngige said.

    He said that both unions have been officially gazzetted, hence entitled to all labour rights as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and International Labour Organisation(ILO) convention.

    The minister said that the federal government was working out modalities for payment of withheld salaries of CONUA and NAMDA members for the duration of ASUU strike.

    The minister added that it would amount to injustice if they were victimised because they never partook in the strike in the first instance.

    Ngige also said that the alleged lack of democracy, transparency and failure to render proper account of check off dues by ASUU, both to her members and the government culminated into the emergence of the new unions.

    He said that this had spurred considerations for the registration of CONUA and NAMDA.

    He said the gazzetting and certificate presentation were in conformity with section 3:2 of the International Trade Union Convention.

    “Trade unionism is for workers and employers of labour to organise themselves and its a voluntary act.

    “Prior to 2020, CONUA had approached the ministry complaining of lack of democracy, transparency in the leadership of ASUU, especially in rendering proper account of their check up dues remitted from government.

    “Based on these grievances the ministry decided to register the members of CONUA to operate as a full-fledged union for which we have issued a certificate of registration and gazzetting which is part of section 3:2 of the ITUC.

    “Unbundling is not new, the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, (NUP) NEPA and NNPC have been unbundled,” he said.

    Speaking, Dr Niyi Sunmonu, CONUA President, commended Ngige, for the presentation of the certificate.

    Sunmonu alleged that the high handedness of ASUU’s leadership gave birth to the association.

    “Now that CONUA has been given official backing through the presentation of certificate, the era of incessant strikes in the university system was over,” he said.

    He however, protested the continued remittance of members check off dues to ASUU, while urging the minister to intervene to reverse the trend going forward.

    “Today is a historic day and it is exciting to be back to this great Ministry in conclusion of the final phase of the registration of CONUA, which is marked by the collection of certificate.

    “We appreciate the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, and his remarkable team for finalising the registration of CONUA with the issuance of the certificate of registration of the Union to us today.

    “In CONUA, our primary purpose at all times has been to promote the welfare of our members, while being constantly conscious of the overriding national interest.

    “With this complete registration, we assure Nigerians that we shall embark on meaningful and realistic discussions and negotiations with the Federal Government and all other stakeholders on how we can get a better deal for university lecturers.

    “Also indeed for better working of the entire system without necessarily rocking and sinking the boat,’’ Sunmonu said.

    He however, alleged that ASUU through subterfuge, had caused the check-off dues of CONUA members to be paid to its account for some months through the IPPIS office.

    He said that the inappropriate remittance to ASUU was reflected on payslips of CONUA members for the affected months.

    He also said CONUA had expressly written to the appropriate authorities to stop remitting its check-off dues to ASUU.

    “In other words, CONUA was recognised by law as a bonfire trade union right from the time it was formed in 2018, and it was entitled to collect the check-off dues of its members by and for itself.

    “We implore the support and cooperation of the Federal Government, as we take off effectively, we assure that will not let this nation down as we shall diligently continue to perform our duties, ’’he said.

    Also, NAMDA President, Dr Ali Ramat commended the minister and his team for the presentation of the certificate.

  • Resident doctors set to embark on indefinite strike

    Resident doctors set to embark on indefinite strike

    Nigerian doctors  operating under the auspices  of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) will meet on Wednesday to decide whether to embark on an indefinite strike or not.

    The Doctors claim that the Federal Government has reneged on its promises.

    The demands includes, improved welfare for health workers, including upward review of salaries, payment of new hazard allowance, payment of salary arrears in some States and payment of the newly-reviewed Medical Residency Training Fund among others.

    Recall that the resident doctors had initially given the Federal Government  a two-week ultimatum  to implement its agreements or risk an indefinite strike.

    On August 21, 2022, the association extended the ultimatum by another two weeks which elapsed on September 5, 2022.

    However, after its extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting over the weekend in Plateau State, members of the association expressed dissatisfaction over the slow pace of progress with regards to their demands.

    They rescheduled a meeting for Wednesday to objectively x-ray efforts of the government and take appropriate action, which could either be to begin its indefinite strike or give the government more time to address its sundry issues.

    Addressing pressmen, the President of the NARD, Dr. Godiya Ishaya, noted that the Wednesday meeting will tell if the strike will begin or not.

    “We went on recess to reconvene on Wednesday by 4 pm virtually via zoom. The other demands and the hazard allowance haven’t been paid. In fact, it is one of the reasons why the meeting became held down and we had to move it to Wednesday for us to go on recess and see if we can make progress.

    “The NEC was not happy about the slow pace of progress that had been made, and in all, with the reports I gave them, they were not convinced about it. I have seen significant progress but there were some details I don’t have to be able to persuade the majority or openly defend for them to understand. I had to declare recess for us to reconvene on Wednesday.”

    The Secretary General of the NARD, Dr. Suleiman Abiodun Isma’il, added that the previous meetings on it have been inconclusive.

    “The meeting was inconclusive as we are on recess so as to further douse tensions and possibly have some time to further do a follow-up on the progress made so far and dialogue with the FG.” He Said.

  • We have enough medical doctors in Nigeria – Minister of Health

    We have enough medical doctors in Nigeria – Minister of Health

    The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, says there are actually enough medical doctors in the country but that the Federal Government is working toward replacing any medical doctor who resigns and leaves the country.

    Ehanire made the assertion  on Tuesday in Abuja during a media conference. He also said there was no embargo on the employment of doctors and other health personnel in the country.

    “There is no embargo on employing doctors; where there is a need, we do. But, because there is a Civil Service regulation, there are processes before doctors are employed.

    “We have heard complaints of doctors who are now leaving the system but there are actually enough doctors in the system because we are producing up to 2,000 or 3,000 doctors every year in the country, and the number leaving is less than 1,000.

    “It is just that the employment process needs to be smoothened,” he said.

    The minister, explained that the ministry was working with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service to use the ‘One-for-One’ employment strategy so that if one doctor or nurse resigns to go abroad another one is employed.

    “So, if we have one replacement then you are not likely to have shortage.

    “But that has been worked out because the Head of Service had the experience that in the past when one person goes, they use the opportunity to take three and those others may not even be people who are required.

    “We want to use this policy so that we can reduce shortages and have our personnel back in our hospitals,” he said.

    Dr Deborah Bitrus-Oghoghorie of the Department of Hospital services, said that the issue of the two weeks ultimatum given by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) for the Federal Government to meet the demands of the association or risk an industrial action was being looked into.

    According to her, they are mainly financial issues which the ministry could not solve on its own.

    “The issue we have with the resident doctors are mainly financial issues and because of that we at the ministry of health cannot handle it alone.

    “So, what we are doing now is to facilitate resolving the issue with the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC).

    “We want to assure you that the ministry of health, especially the department of hospital services is working very hard to ensure that industrial action is averted,” she added.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on Aug. 20, the resident doctors had given the Federal Government another two weeks’ notice within which to implement the payment of the new hazard allowance and arrears stipulated as at Dec. 22, 2021.

    The two weeks which took effect on Monday will elapse on Sept. 4.

    The said hazard allowance is contained in the circular issued by NSIWC dated Dec. 22, 2021 with reference number SWC/S/04/S.218/11/406.

    Some of the other demands of the association include the urgent implementation and commencement of payment of the 2022 Medical Residency Training Funds (MRTF) in full to its members using the old template.

    Also, that the shortfalls using the newly reviewed template be computed and incorporated /factored into the 2023 budget and paid in arrears.

  • Brain drain: Doctors seek FG’s intervention or face nationwide strike

    Brain drain: Doctors seek FG’s intervention or face nationwide strike

     

    …issues two-week strike notice

    Disturbed by the brain drain in the health sector, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to implement the new National Minimum Wage, hazard allowance and other approved funds for its members.

    NARD said the alleged Federal Government’s failure to comply with its demand within the time frame may spur the association to embark on industrial action.

    These were contained in a communique jointly signed by NARD’s President, Dare Ishaya, Secretary General, Suleiman Abiodun, Publicity and Social Secretary, Alfa Yusuf respectively, and issued to newsmen in Lafia on Saturday at the end of the July National Executive Council meeting and Scientific Conference of NARD with the theme, ”The Quagmire of Medical Workplace Hazards: Defending A Nation Under A Shade of Arrows.”

    The communique read in part, “The NEC observed with dismay the unnecessary delay in the new Hazard Allowance for over seven months since its approval on December 22, 2021. Also observed is the delay in the payment of the 2020 Medical Residency Training Fund to our members who were omitted despite several efforts made by the association.

    “The NEC noted that several years after the implementation of a New Minimum Wage in 2019, some of our members are yet to benefit from the consequential adjustment of the minimum wage.

    “As the 2023 Appropriation bill is being prepared, the NEC calls for increased funding of the healthcare sector in the country to the tune of 15 per cent budgetary allocation in line with the 2001 Abuja declaration for healthcare financing in Africa and global best practices.

    “The NEC urges the Federal Government to take steps towards curtailing the brain drain in the health sector and find ways of eliminating all bureaucratic bottlenecks in the employment and replacement of the resident doctors, leaving our institutions daily to seek greener pastures.

    “The NEC shall by the expiration of the two-week ultimatum, reconvene to review the progress made so far and take further actions for which the nationwide industrial harmony may not be guaranteed.”

    The communique further enjoined the Federal Government and all State Governments to look
    into the issue of assault on doctors and thoroughly investigate the ongoing cases and put measures in place to halt the menace in the bid to forestall future
    occurrences.

    The resident doctors called on the FG, the Nigerian Governors Forum, stakeholders, and well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the governors of
    Imo, Ondo, Ekiti and Gombe states to urgently pay arrears of salaries and allowances owed its members in the states’ Tertiary Health Institutions, lamenting that the matter was becoming embarrassing.

    While expressing gratitude to the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, for approving and commencing the payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund to Resident Doctors at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, NARD appealed to the governor to fulfill his promise of employing the wife of their deceased member who died of workplace hazard into the State Civil Service as it was done to the two spouses of their other colleagues who died from Lassa Fever last year.

  • 72 hour ultimatum: Striking doctors yet to formally reach us on new demands – FG

    72 hour ultimatum: Striking doctors yet to formally reach us on new demands – FG

    The Federal Government on Sunday night said it has not received any official communication from resident doctors on their minimum demands for an end of their 56-day old strike.

    The government however, assured that it would make its position known to the doctors once it received such communication from the striking doctors’ umbrella body, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that NARD had at the end of its 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference in Bauchi State where it elected new set of leaders, at the weekend asked the government to pay the salary arrears of its members on the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS)

    The other conditions the association gave for its members to resume work are the payments of medical residency training fund (MRTF) for 2020 and 2021 and withheld August and September salaries; payment of the salary arrears and allowances of doctors in state tertiary health institutions and the withdrawal of the court case against it.

    NARD however explained yesterday that it was ready to negotiate with the Federal Government if it (government) is able to meet the 72-hour ultimatum it gave for the minimum conditions to be met.

    In response to the demands and deadline, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige said” “We have not gotten that (the 72-hour ultimatum). We have not received their new demands. Let them write their employers, the Minister of Health. Let them also write me.

    “We have not seen all those demands. When we see their demands we will then have an answer if it is true.

    “They normally send me the communique of their meeting. When we see it we will respond.”

    New NARD President Dare Ishaya had earlier yesterday said he was eager to see the association’s face-off with the Federal Government brought to end.

    Ishaya disclosed that apart from discussing with the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Health Services, Dr. Tanko Sununu, he had scheduled a meeting with Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) President Innocent Ujah over the issues at state.

    His words: “As new executives, we do not know the level of trust that existed between the NARD leadership and the government team(s).

    “This 72 hours ultimatum that we gave the government is for the government to extend an olive branch to the new executives of the association.

    “Within this 72 hours, we can sit down together, look at the issues one after the other, and then sort it out because I feel terribly bad that I am coming in to inherit a strike. Therefore, the 72 hours is so that we can iron out the issues and resume back to work.

    “I have already scheduled a meeting with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) President. I got to understand that there were a lot of arguments between the NMA President and my predecessor. I want us to first speak with him and look at the point of disagreement; we will therefore see if we can move together because I want the NMA and my association to work together in solving the problems. From there, we can go and see other stakeholders.”

    The NARD boss said they would not focus on “any court order because if we dwell on that, it means that we are still on the battlefield.”

    He added: “What we have seen is that there are a lot of things and technicalities that have been on the way.

    “If you look at the stand of the President(Muhammadu Buhari) concerning the issue, especially what came up some days back, he requested that the Ministry of Labour set aside all technicalities, which the lawsuit is one of. However, it is still there.

    “However, our members are still not going back to work yet until negotiations..”

  • Resident doctors get new leadership, insist strike continues

    Resident doctors get new leadership, insist strike continues

    The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has elected a new set of members to take over the leadership of the union.

    At the Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the doctors held on Saturday at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) in Bauchi, Dr Dare Ishaya was inaugurated as the new NARD President.

    Similarly, Dr Edoga Chima and Dr Buba Babangida emerged as the first and second Vice Presidents respectively, while Dr Suleiman Abiodun Isma’il was sworn in as the Secretary-General.

    The meeting which was attended by 76 chapters of the union across the country deliberated on issues affecting health care delivery and the welfare of members, especially those that led to the ongoing nationwide strike.

    After critical appraisal of the performances of both Federal and state governments on the issues, the doctors unanimously resolved by vote to continue the total and indefinite strike action, until their minimum demands were met.

    They asked the Federal Government to ensure the payment of the Medical Residency Training within 72 hours, in order to restore normalcy to the health sector.

    The doctors also demanded the payment of the arrears of salaries of their colleagues on the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) platform within 72 hours while the process of migrating to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel information system (IPPIS) continues.

    Other demands by the union included the withdrawal of the court case against NARD and payment of withheld August and September salaries.

    “The Federal Government should prevail on various state governments to urgently pay arrears of salaries and allowances owed our members in the state tertiary health institutions as stated above,” a communique issued at the end of the meeting read.

    “The AGM also urges the Federal Government to consider the universal implementation of the MRTA in all training institutions in the country including those in the states. The AGM reiterated unequivocally, especially to the members of the public, that we are committed to the smooth running of the health sector, but we can only do so when our welfare is given the desired attention.

    “We, therefore, call on all well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the government to set aside all technicalities as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari and resolve the aforementioned demands in the interest of the masses and our members who are currently suffering because of the ongoing strike action.”

  • Doctors’ strike: NMA backs NARD, others; issues FG 21-day ultimatum to resolve disputes

    Doctors’ strike: NMA backs NARD, others; issues FG 21-day ultimatum to resolve disputes

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve all lingering industrial actions with the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, and other affiliate members.

    This ultimatum is part of the resolutions reached during its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, held in Benin City.

    “After due consideration, NEC put the Federal Government on a 21 days’ notice to fully resolve all the issues contained in the various agreements signed with Affiliate members of the Nigerian Medical Association (including MDCAN, MEDSABAMS, and NARD),” the statement jointly signed by its President, Prof Innocent AO Ujah and Secretary, Dr. Philips Uche Ekpe, read.

    According to the doctors, if the Federal Government fails to implement the agreements after the expiration of the 21- day notice, the NMA will summon an emergency delegate meeting.

    “In the event that the FG fails to implement the agreements after the expiration of the 21 days’ notice, NMA shall summon an emergency delegate meeting to review the progress made on the implementation of the agreements,” the NMA added.

    NMA’s ultimatum is the latest in the lingering tussle between the Nigerian government and NARD which has gone on strike since July 31.

    Despite a series of meetings between the Federal Government and the striking doctors, no resolution has been reached.

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, had in the wake of the disagreements threatened to invoke the “no-work, no pay” rule on NARD.

    But the NMA has thrown its weight behind the striking doctors and other health workers.

    “The Nigerian Medical Association fully supports all her affiliates in their efforts to improve the healthcare delivery in Nigeria and the welfare of her members,” it assured.

    “NEC affirms that no doctor shall be victimized for participating/not participating in the strike action by NARD.”

  • Stop playing God – Ngige tells Nigerian striking doctors

    Stop playing God – Ngige tells Nigerian striking doctors

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, has advised doctors in the country to be humble and carry themselves with dignity, rather than ‘play God or compete with God’.

    Ngige gave the advice while speaking at the 2nd Summit of Medical Elders Forum (MEF) on Thursday, in Abuja.

    The forum, organized by the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), in collaboration with 50 forward, had as its theme, “Medical Profession: a Look into the Past, Present and Future.”

    Nigige expressed his concerns over the state of health nationwide and opined that the medical profession was in danger.

    “At no time in the history of NMA and the medical association, was I seeing our association and our profession ever being in danger, as I am seeing them now.

    “Many people will not see it, but from where I am sitting and standing, I can see danger ahead.

    “We are one of the oldest professions on earth, metamorphosing from natural and traditional healers to take away pain from people and consequentially save lives.

    “We don’t create lives, God creates, we only preserve people’s lives through the act of God. In doing so, God has given us some powers and those powers are near his own to create.

    “But, there is something God does not want, God does not want when he gives you powers you use it to try to say that you are like him or you are competing with him.

    “God loves you to do that which he has asked you to do; to use that power with humility.

    “Doctors should ask themselves questions; why is it that it’s when your colleagues are in government that you go on the greatest number of strikes?

    “Some of these colleagues were Presidents, Secretary-Generals of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and even NARD,” Ngige asked?

    According to him, Dr Onyebuchi Chukwu and Dr Isaac Adewole have had to face plenty strikes. And since our government came on board, I have consolidated four strikes; something is wrong.

    “We need to ask ourselves some questions and be straightforward with the answers

    “We must start by telling ourselves the truth. You say they dislike doctors, what did you do for them to dislike you?

    “Yes, there is peer envy; yes, some wanted to study medicine and they couldn’t; we know it and if you know it, you carry yourself with dignity and humility,” he added.

    Earlier, NMA’s President, Prof. Innocent Ujah, had said a good number of people within and outside the health sector were envious of doctors, without appreciating the tedious academic process of becoming a doctor.

    “Everybody is envious of the doctor, what is the problem? What have we done? Is it a sin to be intelligent? By the way, we are the most intelligent,” he stated.

    Ujah, who raised concerns over the release of some circulars by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) and the National Universities Commission (NUC), stated that they were contradictory.

    He explained that such contradictions formed part of the reasons behind the disharmony in the nation’s health sector.

    “A circular from the Salaries and Wages Commission is coming out that no more CONMESS for doctors, who are lecturers.

    “But, it is there as a circular, so why is the doctor singled out?

    In Lagos state university, a doctor with fellowship cannot contest the Vice Chancellorship

    “Without a PhD you can’t teach at the clinical level, you can only teach biochemistry or physiology: and you are saying that the best can no longer be a Vice Chancellor.

    “He can become a professor but he can’t become a Vice Chancellor, what kind of contradiction is that?

    “We have written from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to tell them to stop that, if they don’t, we will challenge it, because we cannot take what we are seeing.

    “Some circulars from the NUC are quite contradictory and we need to sort them frontally and you can see the dismemberment.

    “These are the things that cause problems for us. When we try to solve some of these issues other issues crop up.

    “We need support from our elders; people value us but we don’t value ourselves. We should be able to resolve our conflicts and those who are in government should know that they are doctors, you will come back to us,” he said.

    The Executive Director, AHBN, Dr Aminu Magashi, noted that for the health system of any country to deliver quality health care services to the population they serve, there must be strong political leadership commitment and effective health system governance.

    Magashi said others are adequate healthcare financing, human resources for health, effective regulation and legislation, and strong private health sectors.

    He added that the medical and dental profession was critical and key to the socioeconomic and political growth and development of any nation, including Nigeria.

    “The profession, which is driven largely through the Nigerian Medical Association and its affiliate bodies, has been a major pivot for repositioning and advancing the profession.

    He, however, lamented that “the effort of various governments to translate the association’s laudable recommendations for the growth, development and good of the profession, the health system and the Nigerian people, had been less than satisfactory.

    “An association like the NMA, serves as a watchdog of government and through constructive engagement with the government, help to deliver quality and smooth health care delivery to the Nigerian population,” he explained.

    Magashi said both should work as committed partners for progressive developments rather than as antagonists.

  • FG directs NARD, JOHESU to withdraw fresh strike notices immediately

    The Federal Government has directed the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) to withdraw their strike notices immediately.

    Sen. Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment said this at a news conference in Abuja on Friday.

    Ngige was addressing newsmen at the end of a meeting with the Presidential Committee on Salaries, relevant Federal Government stakeholders and health sector professional associations and trade unions.

    He said that the Federal Government was recently issued notice of trade disputes by NARD and JOHESU.

    “I told them to withdraw because it is arm-twisting. It is not allowed in International Labour Organisation Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBAs) negotiation. So, we expect them to withdraw those notices they gave.

    “JOHESU gave 15-day ultimatum with effect from June 28. NARD gave 28-day ultimatum from when the day they had their National Executive Council.

    ”Those things are arm twisting and I told them that they must withdraw them because the issues they are bringing in here are tangential issues.

    ”They have nothing to do with this discussion on fixing a new hazard allowance for health professionals and workers,” he said.

    The minister said that the Federal Government would take the final decision on the new hazard allowance for health workers.

    He said that the government’s side allowed enough time for the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and JOHESU to harmonise their different positions on the hazard allowance but they were not able to do so.

    He, however, said the matter would be returned to the National Salaries, Wages and Incomes Commission (NSWIC) and the Presidential Committee on Salaries to decide on the new hazard allowance for health professionals and workers.

    According to Ngige, the government is treading cautiously in order not to be seen as trying to stampede the health workers since the matter concerns money.

    “We will have separated them into JOHESU and NMA but that will give us much problem in terms of the implementation of whatever we agree on.

    “So, we are taking them jointly and it is yielding fruits now. The two big bodies have given their final positions. The government has taken their final positions back.

    ”We have also allowed them time to see if they can discuss among themselves like they did just before COVID-19 and we came out with COVID-19 allowance.

    “We have given them that time to see if they can meet and harmonise their positions but they are not able to do so.

    “We are adjourning this meeting sine die for the government side to look at those two positions to see whether we can do a middle of the road within our organ, the NSIWC, which by its mandate, is the government organ that fixes salaries, wages, allowances and remuneration,” he said.

    Ngige recalled that the Federal Government earlier offered the health workers 300 per cent increment on hazard allowances, which amounted to N37.5 billion.

    He said that they were trying to work within that realm of N37.5 billion, following inability of the unions to harmonise their different positions.

    “It is a teething problem because everybody has CBAs and we are now renegotiating the CBAs.

    ”There are CBAs in 2006, 2009, 2013 and even court pronouncements by the National Industrial Court, especially on work value and equal pay. These are things we will put in a basket and decide,” he added.

    Those present at the meeting were the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Enahire; Ministers of State, Clems Agba (Finance Budget and Planning) and Olorunimbe Mamora (Health).

    Others are the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Abdulaziz Abdulahi and his Labour and Employment counterpart, Peter Yerima-Tarfa.

  • Resident doctors extend strike ultimatum by 2 weeks for FG, States to act

    Resident doctors extend strike ultimatum by 2 weeks for FG, States to act

    The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has extended its strike ultimatum by two weeks to let the Federal and State governments to address the issues of welfare of their members across the country.

    The extension is contained in a communiqué at the end of the association’s 41st Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) which held in Nnewi/Awka, Anambra, between May 25 and May 29.

    The communiqué was release by Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, National President of NARD, in the company of other members of the executive.

    It said that the association would resume a total strike action if its demands remained unattended to at the end of the period.

    It said that the strike was suspended following government’s promises as entailed in the Memorandum of Actions, signed at the instance of Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, on April 9.

    It said that the delays in payment of members on the GIFMIS platform for over four months had caused hardships for NARD members and urged the Federal Government to expedite action toward migrating members to IPPIS.

    NARD also expressed concerns about the conditions of their members in Abia and Imo who were currently owed salary arreas of 21 and seven months, respectively.

    “While the OGM notes the willingness of government to migrate members from the GIFMIS to the IPPIS platform, we decry the lackluster behaviour exhibited by heads of government parastatal agencies to achieving this.

    “Our members are still in agony because of these delays and some House Officers are still being owed up to two months salaries.

    “The OGM notes with dismay, the stale attitude of the Governors of Abia and Imo states and their appointees toward addressing the issues of payment of salaries for 21 months and seven months respectively.”

    NARD said that the national minimum wage consequential adjustment and salary shortfalls had not been paid and directed Chief Medical Directors 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 note 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 the 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 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,” it added.