The health sector may again be thrown into chaos as the National Association of Resident Doctors threatened indefinite strike by January 12, 2017, over unpaid salary, non implementation of the national Health Act and poor infrastructure in the sector.
President, Association of Resident Doctors, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Dr Olusegun Olaopa, speaking at a press briefing on Friday at the hospital, said the strike may actually start earlier on Tuesday, 10th of January at the UCH, Ibadan over doctor’s unpaid November and December salaries.
At the press briefing, all the doctors were clad in black hospital coats to express their displeasure on what they described as “ills in the health sector” that the federal government had been unable to resolve.
Olaopa, who declared that NARD gave an ultimatum to the federal government on 12th December, 2016, said that without the promulgation of the National Health act, only one percent of Nigerians will continue to be guaranteed universal health coverage in the country.
The doctor, remarking that the federal government was not sincere about ensuring universal health for all, decried FG’s efforts also at addressing challenges in training of specialist doctors.
Olaopa declared “unfortunately in UCH today, it is only doctors that get part salaries; it is only doctors that were not paid November and December salaries. Every other worker was paid.
“Also, there is a circular that guarantees adjustment of grade level for all doctors, like they did for non-doctor staff. Unfortunately at UCH and some other teaching hospitals, it is only doctors that were not paid their full salaries.”
“We had decided to adorn ourselves with black attires to tell the public, even our patients, that enough is enough. We are expressing our displeasure in what is happening in the health sector.
“If nothing happens by January 12, the entire NARD will be forced to proceed on an indefinite strike. At our congress, we also decided that by 8am on Tuesday, if we do not receive our November and December salaries, as other non doctors, there will be a three-day warning strike. This is separate from the decision of the NARD that is to commence on 12th of January.”
He, therefore, appealed that the public prevails on the federal government to listen and solve the problems.
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