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Tag: resident doctors

  • 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.

  • Buhari orders payment of withheld salaries of resident doctors

    Buhari orders payment of withheld salaries of resident doctors

    President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Federal Ministry of Finance to release withheld salaries of resident doctors for the month of September and October 2021.

    The Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, disclosed this to State House correspondents after a meeting with Buhari on Thursday.

    He explained that the wages, which were seized on the premise of the no-work, no pay-rule following strikes embarked upon by the Joint Health Workers Union, have been approved by the President to be released to the health workers on compassionate grounds.

    Responding to the grievances by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the minister asserted that since July 2021, a total of N52.1 billion revitalization fund has so far been released to workers in the university system in consonance with an MOA signed in December 2020 and expects that members of ASUU would have been adequately informed about the Federal Government’s efforts.

    He further explained that payments were made following a nine-month industrial action embarked upon by the body. He insisted that the persisting altercation is the lack of knowledge by members of the payments and a renegotiation of the 2009 agreement involving conditions of service.

    The minister, therefore, insisted that the recommendations still lie at the level of the Ministry of Education after which the Federal Government will take appropriate action.

    This, according to him, does not amount to a refusal by the Federal Government to implement any agreement.

    The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had earlier decided on a meeting for Saturday with zonal leaders of the union over an alleged failure of the Federal Government to implement agreements reached with the union in 2020.

    Dr Ngige, therefore, appealed to ASUU to exercise patience with the government in order to reach a logical conclusion.

  • Governors set to address unresolved issues raised by resident doctors in five states

    Governors set to address unresolved issues raised by resident doctors in five states

    The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has pledged to address the unresolved issues raised by the Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) in five states.

    This was contained in a communique posted on NGF’s Facebook handle on Saturday, three days after the forum held its 33rd teleconference presided by its chairman and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi.

    “On the suspended strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD), the Forum noted that there were still unresolved issues in five states: Abia, Imo, Ondo, Kaduna, and Ekiti, and advised that State Governors appoint either the Deputy Governor or another high-ranking official such as the Commissioner of Health to take up the discussion with the Association at the State level,” said the communique issued on Thursday.

    At the virtual meeting held on Wednesday, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees to the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research Foundation, Babatunde Fashola, made a presentation on a national fundraising initiative.

    The initiative seeks to mobilise resources for the establishment of an endowment for medical research in the country.

    Thereafter, the forum resolved to make a collective pledge to support research in priority medical fields in the country and called on all state governments to individually advance support for the initiative at the state level.

    “Members also received a presentation from Mark Giambrone, MPP the Country Coordinator for PEPFAR in Nigeria, on the status of state engagement that is paving the way towards HIV epidemic control in the country,” the communique added.

    “With the country on the verge of reaching control status by the end of 2022, governors pledged to continue to facilitate access to HIV testing and treatment for more Nigerians and committed to supporting campaigns and initiatives that will reduce stigmatisation among people living with HIV/AIDS.”

    The governors met two days after the leadership of NARD suspended its two-month industrial action and directed its members across the country to resume work fully from October 6.

    But NARD President, Dr Dare Godiya Ishaya, who briefed reporters in Abuja on the development had clarified that the strike was suspended for six weeks to allow the Federal Government to address the issues raised by the doctors.

    He explained that the association took the decision to suspend the industrial action due to a simple majority vote of members at a meeting held on Sunday.

    The strike, which began on August 2 to protest the issues affecting members, has left many patients helpless in government-owned hospitals within the period.

    These include the non-payment of death benefits to families of members who died while treating COVID-19 patients, as well as non-payment of hazard allowance and arrears of salaries of members in various states.

  • BREAKING: Resident doctors call off strike, to resume on Wednesday

    BREAKING: Resident doctors call off strike, to resume on Wednesday

    The National Association of Resident Doctors has suspended its lingering nationwide strike.

    The strike action which started on August 2 has been suspended with effect from 8am, Wednesday, according to the President of the association, Dr Godiya Ishaya.

    Details later…

     

  • 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.”

  • Strike: Resident doctors fault court judgement ordering them to resume immediately, head to Appeal Court

    Strike: Resident doctors fault court judgement ordering them to resume immediately, head to Appeal Court

    The leadership of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has faulted the ruling of the National Industrial Court (NIC) directing its members to return to work.

    A communique jointly signed by NARD President, Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, and the union’s Secretary-General, Dr Jerry Isogun, on Friday revealed that the doctors have begun the process to appeal the ruling.

    “As we are all aware, especially those that were present in court today (Friday), the NIC has given a ruling on the application for interlocutory injunction filed by the Federal Government,” the statement said. “We are not satisfied with the ruling.

    “After consultations with our lawyers, we have instructed our lawyers to appeal the ruling and file an application for stay of execution.”

    The statement is in reaction to the ruling of Justice Bashar Alkali who ordered the resident doctors to suspend their ongoing industrial action and return to work immediately, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    Justice Alkali who ruled on an application by the government had also directed parties in the matter to return to the negotiating table, saying no amount of money could compensate for the loss of lives as a result of the impasse.

    In demonstration of its displeasure with the decision of the court, NARD instructed its lawyers to file necessary processes, rather than ask members to return to their duty posts.

    It also asked the doctors to remain calm and resolute, saying “everything depends on our firm resolve.”

    “We are committed to protecting your rights within the confines of the law. We believe justice shall be ours ultimately,” the union told its members.

    It stated that the court had reserved ruling on which application it would take first on Wednesday, and its lawyers argued that the court ought to hear and determine the Notice of Preliminary Objection (NPO) filed by the doctors to challenge the jurisdiction of the court before taking the application for an interlocutory injunction or any other application.

    The union added that the court adjourned ruling on the argument on the matter until Friday, after which it ruled that it would take the government’s application for interlocutory injunction first while its NPO would be taken and determined along with the substantive suit.

    “Also, our lawyers drew the attention of the court to our application for stay of execution of the ex parte order and that the court should take that application first. The court insisted that the government application would be taken first.

    “On 15/9/21, the court ordered all parties to resume negotiations. The government refused to resume negotiations in line with the order of 23/8/21. Our lawyers reported this development to the court. We have demonstrated good faith and would continue to do so,” the statement said.

  • JUST IN: Court orders resident doctors to suspend strike, return to work immediately

    JUST IN: Court orders resident doctors to suspend strike, return to work immediately

    The National Industrial Court has ordered resident doctors to suspend their strike action and go back to work immediately, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    All parties have also been asked to return to the negotiating table.

    Justice Bashar Alkali made the order on Friday while ruling on an application by the Federal Government.

    The court held that there is no amount of money that will compensate for the loss of lives in the circumstances.

    Counsel to the Federal Government, Mr Tochukwu Maduka, had moved his motion for interlocutory injunction and prayed the court for an order restraining the defendant from continuing with the industrial action pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

    He argued that the resident doctors are persons who provide essential services and cannot embark on strike as continuing to do so will wreak hardship on citizens.

    Counsel to the resident doctors, Femi Aborishade, vehemently opposed the application for interlocutory injunction and urged the court to discountenance their application.

    He argued that the life of a medical doctor is not less useful than the life of an average human being.

    He further pointed out that justice must be balanced, not just to the government, but also to the doctors who are the field marshals in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

    Both parties had told the vacation judge, Justice Bashar Alkali, at the industrial court, on September 15, that they were set to negotiate and give the court an update by Friday.

    But the process of negotiation and possible settlement failed.

    Speaking shortly after the court ruling, however, the counsel to the doctors said he would advise them accordingly and show them other options of appeal, but they would not disobey court orders.

  • Court orders resident doctors to suspend strike nationwide

    Court orders resident doctors to suspend strike nationwide

    The Abuja Division of the National Industrial Court (NIC) has ordered the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to suspend its ongoing nationwide strike, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has said.

    According to a statement by the ministry’s spokesperson, Charles Akpan, the court presided by Justice John Targema gave the order on Monday afternoon.

    This followed an ex-parte motion filed on Friday last week by the Federal Ministry of Health, seeking an order of interlocutory injunction restraining members of NARD from further continuing the industrial action pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    The heath ministry stated that the strike which began on August 2 was contrary to Section 41 of the Trade Dispute Act.

    The motion brought under Suit No: NICN/ABJ/197/2021 has the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Government as first and second claimants/applicants and NARD as the only defendant/respondent.

    During proceedings on Monday, according to Akpan, the court heard the motion ex-parte and affidavit in support sworn by the Director of Legal Services at the health ministry, Ahmed Nasiru.

    He revealed that Justice Targema granted an order of interlocutory injunction, compelling all members of the defendants/respondents in all the states of the Federation to suspend the industrial action and resume work immediately, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    “The court held that the continued downing of tools by the striking doctors have inflicted a lot of damage on the health system and the sick, especially in this perilous time of COVID-19 pandemic,” the statement said.

    “Targema further ordered that the claimant/applicant and the defendant/respondent suspend all forms of hostilities forthwith pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

    “The judge adjourned the matter to September 15, 2021 for the hearing of the motion on notice and any other pending application.

    In his reaction, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, described the court ruling as a welcome development.

    He, however, reassured the affected doctors that the ruling would not prevent the Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget Office of the Federation (BOF), Office of the Head of Service of the Federation (OHOCSF) and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages and Commission (NSIWC) from the implementation of the agreements contained in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) reached at the last meeting with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and affiliate associations with timelines affixed to them.

  • Why resident doctors’ strike continues despite negotiations with FG – NMA

    Why resident doctors’ strike continues despite negotiations with FG – NMA

    A deep distrust of the Federal Government’s ability to implement its promises is behind the prolonged strike of resident doctors across the country, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) said on Monday.

    “The problem we face is that when agreements are signed, everybody goes to sleep,” NMA President, Innocent Ujah in a monitored chat with Channels Television on Monday.

    “So there is this distrust among workers. And this is not good for the country; because we expect that those who work for our President should be truthful, honest and should comply with the agreement.”

    There were indications that the three-week-old strike would soon be called off after the doctors, under the aegis of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) met with Federal Government representatives in Abuja over the weekend.

    The meeting was brokered, in part by the NMA, which is the parent body of all doctors in the country.

    But the resident doctors refused to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) produced at the end of the meeting, citing the government’s decision to institute a court action over the strike.

    The resident doctors also said the government must reverse its ‘no work, no pay’ policy.

    Meanwhile, a NARD spokesperson, Julian Ojebo, has said the resident doctors will not resume unless their benefits have been paid.

    Ojebo also speaking on a monitored Channels Television programme said resident doctors have been left ‘impoverished’ by the government’s inability to meet its demands.

    “We are not on strike for added allowances; we are not on strike for any other thing,” Ojebo said. “We are on strike for our normal due salaries that you have not paid from January to July.

    “We are talking about salary shortfalls that you have not paid from 2014 to 2016. We are talking about monies you have not paid for our medical residency training program. These are the issues on the table, and these issues have not been resolved.”

    He noted that signing MoUs was an academic exercise that does nothing to address the doctors’ demands.

    “Payment of our benefits are the only actionable plans that can actually make us sign any memorandum of agreement of terms,” he said.

    “Other than these, I don’t think we are being fair.”

    The resident doctors had earlier embarked on a strike in April.

    The strike was suspended within ten days after the doctors met with Federal Government representatives and an agreement was signed for implementation.

    But nothing was done to implement the agreement, NARD has said, prompting the resumption of the strike action.

    “Twenty-one days of strike action in this country is unacceptable,” the NMA chief Ujah said on Monday. “But the problem is that some people are not doing their work.

    “This strike is avoidable. In April, we were able to convince our colleagues to suspend the action, and nothing happened anymore.

    “They gave a period of notice to government, again nothing happened.

    “The issue is about distrust. So government has to implement at least some of the demands.

    “If the government does its own bit, there is no reason why resident doctors should not go back to work. They are not happy that when issues are raised, implementation becomes a problem.”

  • Strike: Resident doctors refuse signing new MoU with FG after six-hour meeting

    Strike: Resident doctors refuse signing new MoU with FG after six-hour meeting

    The leadership of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has refused assent to a new memorandum of understanding brokered by the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) to end the three weeks old strike that has crippled medical services in government hospitals across the country.

    NARD President, Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, declined his assent owing to an undisclosed clause.

    According to Okhuaihesuyi, NARD’s leadership has to consult with members of the association before he appends his signature.

    Addressing journalists after the over six hours closed-door meeting, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, said all other unions in the negotiation, including the Nigeria Medical Association and the Medical and Dental Consultants of Nigeria, signed the new agreement, having agreed on all the issues raised.

    Meanwhile, the minister also clarified that the meeting did not discuss the issues of ‘no work, no pay,’ but said all parties at the meeting agreed to an out-of-court settlement.

    The Federal Government had taken the striking doctors to court last week, as it asked the National Industrial Court to mandate the doctors to return to work.

    The hearing on the case was adjourned to September 15.