The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) yesterday gave the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to meet its demands.
It said the ultimatum, which ends on July 19, is meant to give the government sufficient time to begin implementation of the resolutions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreed on.
Failure to meet their demands by July 19, the NARD said, its members might embark on a nationwide strike.
The association, which expressed its disappointment with the government, noted that despite the conciliatory meeting chaired by the then Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, the government had not begun implementation of its promises, seven weeks after.
On April 29, 2023, the NARD issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to meet its demands.
The ultimatum ended on May 13, 2023, but on Wednesday, May 17, the association began its five-day warning strike over unmet demands.
The warning strike ended on Monday, May 22, at 8 a.m.
Some of their demands include: 200 per cent review of their Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), issuance of a circular by the Federal Ministry of Health for replacement of doctors and nurses that have left the system with new ones, and the payment of salary arrears, improvement in hazard allowance by state governments, among others.
After its virtual extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, the NARD issued a statement through its President, Dr. Emeka Orji.
It said: “NEC demands the immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), as contained in the approved 2023 budget, in line with various agreements we’ve reached with the government.
