The National Association of Resident Doctors has said it will embark on daily nationwide peaceful protests and picketing of the Federal Ministry of Health, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, as well as all federal and state tertiary health institutions nationwide, with effect from Wednesday, 9th August to press home their demand from the federal government.
NARD, while disclosing this in a statement on Sunday signed by its President, Dr Orji Emeka, and the Secretary-General, Dr Chikezie Kelechi and made available to Tribune, said the protest has become necessary to press home their demands which have been largely neglected by their parent ministry and the federal government.
“We are pained that rather than make genuine and concerted efforts to resolve the challenges that led to the industrial action despite repeated ultimatums, our parent ministry and the federal government have chosen to demonize Nigerian resident doctors instead, after all, their sacrifices and patriotism.”
“We, therefore, resolved that it is time the whole world hears our side of the story – the decay and corruption in the health sector as well as the neglect the public health institutions have suffered all these years that led to repeated industrial actions.”
“We believe that the government still has time to genuinely address the issues at stake before Wednesday, 9th August 2023, or leave us with no other option.” The statement reads.