By: Moses Emorinken, Abuja

Doctors under the aegis of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have unanimously agreed to embark on an indefinite strike from Monday, August 2, 2021.

This is coming at a very critical time when the country is currently experiencing a rise in COVID-19 infections; the signal of a third wave of the pandemic.

The doctors reached the decision after their National Executive Council (NEC) meeting by over 50 members across the country.

They noted the Federal Government has failed to honour and implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it signed with them after over 100 days.

The doctors particularly demanded immediate withdrawal of the circular removing House Officers from the scheme of service, which was not implemented.

President of the NARD, Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, who made these known in a statement, also noted despite efforts by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila to ensure the Medical Residency Training Funds is captured in the supplementary budget, the Federal Government has failed to disburse the funds to its members.

He said: “The NEC noted the suspension of the total indefinite strike action One Hundred and Thirteen (113) days ago due to Government promises as entailed in the Memorandum of Actions (MOA) signed at the instance of the Minister of Labour, Sen. Dr Chris Ngige.

“The NEC also noted the efforts of the Hon Speaker of the House of Representatives in ensuring that the Medical Residency Training Funds is captured in the supplementary budget. They however frowned at the delay by the Federal Government in disbursing the funds to our members.

“They decried the undue hardship our members on GIFMIS platform are facing due to the delays in payment of their salaries ranging from three to seven months.

“The NEC noted that despite Government’s promise to migrate her members from the GIFMIS to the IPPIS platform, they are still stuck on the GIFMIS platform which is laced with payment irregularities.

“The NEC noted with grievous concerns the circular from the Head of Service of the Federation removing House Officers from the scheme of service and the consequent implementation by the Lagos State Government. They also observed that some House Officers are still being owed 1-2 months’ salaries.

“The NEC noted that bench fee for outside postings by Resident Doctors has been abolished, however, some Chief Medical Directors have renamed the bench fee as training fee causing hardship on her members.