The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has sought the personal intervention of President Bola Tinubu over the “non-implementation of their 19-point demands”.
In a letter on Monday, titled ‘A Passionate Appeal to the
Commander-in-Chief of the Federation’, the doctors expressed concern over the
worsening state of Nigeria’s health sector, warning that the system is “on the
verge of collapse”.
The letter, signed by Mohammad Suleiman, NARD president,
urged Tinubu to address the long-standing demands, which include payment of
salary arrears, implementation of the consolidated medical salary structure
(CONMESS), and improved welfare for resident doctors.
“We are not politicians. We are doctors — men and women
devoted to saving lives, working long hours in often harsh and under-resourced
conditions,” the letter reads.
“Our appeal is simple and sincere: we seek not luxuries, but
the basic salaries, allowances, and welfare packages that have already been
approved and promised by government.”
The association said many of its members are yet to receive
their legitimate entitlements despite several signed agreements and assurances
from government representatives.
NARD added that the continued neglect of frontline medical
workers “threatens the very foundation of the country’s healthcare delivery
system”.
BACKGROUND
The association had earlier embarked on a five-day warning
strike to protest the government’s failure to meet its demands, which include
an upward review of CONMESS, payment of the 2023 medical residency training
fund (MRTF), and the recruitment of more clinical staff.
After the expiration of the ultimatum, NARD announced plans
to commence an indefinite nationwide strike on November 1 over “the persistent
neglect of its welfare and working conditions”.
The federal capital territory (FCT) chapter of NARD had also
declared an indefinite strike after a seven-day warning strike, citing unpaid
salary arrears, unexplained deductions, and inadequate diagnostic equipment.
The resident doctors appealed to President Tinubu to
demonstrate his “fatherly leadership” by resolving the lingering issues, saying
his decisive action would help “restore hope, trust, and stability” to
Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“Mr President, you have always been known for your
compassion, fairness, and courage in addressing difficult national challenges,”
the letter added.
“We therefore appeal to you to personally intervene and
resolve these long-standing issues to save our collapsing health system.”
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