In Calabar, the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) issued a two‑week ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding that outstanding welfare and professional issues be resolved or face industrial action. The notice was adopted at NARD’s 46th Annual General Meeting, with the association’s new president, Dr Emmanuel Ogar, reading the resolutions into the record.
Doctors cited slow implementation of prior agreements between NARD and the government as a key grievance. They called for immediate action on matters such as remuneration, career progression, professional allowances, excessive workload, manpower shortages and overall welfare of resident doctors.
The association urged the government to complete a review of the existing salary and professional structure, arguing that the current framework no longer reflected Nigeria’s economic realities. It also demanded compensation for excess workload caused by staff shortages, insisting on standardised payment templates and reliable data to support such payments.
Additional concerns highlighted by NARD included attacks on health workers and the ongoing migration of doctors from Nigeria. The association called for full implementation of anti‑assault policies and for measures to curb the exodus of medical professionals, which it said further strains remaining staff.
State governments were urged to prioritise the welfare of doctors and other health workers, ensuring the implementation of relevant policies and improving infrastructure, equipment and working conditions to enhance patient safety and service delivery.
The resolutions also asked the National Assembly to strengthen budgetary provisions for healthcare, to pay salaries and entitlements owed to house officers and to include them in welfare arrangements. NARD welcomed the deployment of electronic clocking systems, provided they support accurate data management rather than punitive use.
Despite repeated meetings and assurances, several agreements with the Federal Government remain unresolved. NARD warned that the two‑week window must be used to address these issues and prevent a breakdown of industrial harmony in the health sector, arguing that resolving disputes would reduce burnout and improve the quality of care for Nigerians.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
