Health

Resident Doctors Give FG Two-Week to Implement Agreement

By Web News 442

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given the Federal Government two weeks to implement agreements relating to their welfare.

The ultimatum was issued by the Association following their National Executive Council meeting in Lafia, Nasarawa.

The doctors in a communique signed by NARD President, Dr Dare Ishaya that they would reconvene in two weeks to review the progress made so far in relation to their demands.

The doctors are requesting that the Federal Government expedite payment of the newly reviewed Medical Residency Training Fund so that its members can meet the advertised examination registration deadline.

The doctors asked for the immediate payment of skipping arrears to deserving members for 2014, 2015 and 2016 as well as the immediate payment of the consequential adjustment of the minimum wage to its members who have not benefitted.

They also demanded the immediate implementation and payment of the new Hazard Allowance and arrears as outlined in the National Salaries, Income and Wage Commission circular, and an immediate review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS)

Adeniyi Bakare

Health

FMC Abẹ́òkúta, Charges Resident Doctors On Medical Matters

By Web News 679

The Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Professor Adewale Musa-Olomu has called on the centre’s association of resident doctors to consider the interest of the patients making use of the facility before declaring industrial dispute at the centre.

The medical director made the call while briefing newsmen on the allegation of non-functional equipment at the hospital raised by the association of resident doctors.

Professor Musa-Olomu who took the journalists on a tour of the facilities described the doctors claims as political and sponsored to tarnish the growing reputation of the hospital stated that all the equipment are in good condition and are currently being used by patients.

The Medical Director hinted that accreditation of medical programmes is being pursued by the hospital management and stressed that priority was also being given to workers welfare.

The hospital management later held a meeting with some of the executive members of the association of resident doctors of the hospital to address some of the concerns raised by the association.

Wale Oluokun

Yoruba

Ìyansẹ́lódì Áwọn Dókítà: Ìjọba Àpapọ̀ Kéde Òfin Óò Sisẹ́ Óò Gbowó

By Web News 644

Ìjọba àpapọ̀ ti páà lásẹ fún àwọn ọ̀gá ilé ìwòsàn tó jẹ́ tìjọba pé kí wọ́n se àmúsẹ ìlànà òfin óò se, óò gbowó osù fáwọn dókítà tó jẹ́ ọmọ ẹgbẹ́ àwọn onímọ̀ ìsègùn òyìnbó tó n kọ́ ẹ̀kọ́ mọ́ ẹ̀kọ́ táà mọ si Resident Doctors.

Àsẹ t’íjọba fi síta yi ló wà nínú ìwé tí olùdarí ètò àwọn ilé ìwòsàn níléèsẹ́ ètò ìlera ìjọba àpapọ̀ Dókítà Adebimpe Adebiyi fọwọ́sí.

Dókítà Adebiyi sàlàyé wí pé iléèsẹ́ náà ti gba ìwé látọ̀dọ̀ iléèsẹ́ óò sisẹ́, óò gbowó àti ìgbanisísẹ́ wípé òfin náà pé kí wọ́n ó se àmúsẹ rẹ̀.

Babatunde Salaudeen

Health

Resident Doctors Hold NEC Meeting, Resolve To Continue Strike

By Web News 615

Members of the National Executive Council of the striking Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors have met and resolved to continue the ongoing strike despite efforts made by the Federal Government and the order of the National Industrial Court.

The association’s position was contained in a communique issued at the end of the meeting made available to journalists on Thursday.

The communique was jointly signed by the President of NARD, Okhuaihesuyi Uyilawa; Secretary General, Jerry Isogun; and Publicity Secretary, Dotun Oshikoya.

It was titled ‘Communique issued at the end of an extraordinary National Executive Council meeting of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors.’

According to the communique, members of NEC reviewed the efforts of government and resolved to continue with the industrial action until all their demands are met.

“After critical appraisal of the actions of both federal and state governments on all the issues affecting the welfare of our members as observed above and the perpetual insincerity from government as evidence by the reckless ex parte injunctions sought by the government and the ambiguity in the interpretation of the ruling of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, the NEC unanimously agreed via vote to sustain the ongoing industrial action until her demands are met as contained in the MOA signed more than 140 days ago and the recent MOU signed between the government and NMA,” it read.

In coming to the conclusion, the NARD decried what it described as the nonchalant attitude of government officials towards the sufferings of Nigerian doctors.

Specifically, it faulted the decision of the Federal Government to approach the National Industrial Court to stop the strike.

PUNCH

Health

NARD Calls For Domestication Of Medical Training Act 2017

By Web News 912

The National Executive Council of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, has urged defaulting state governments to domesticate the Medical Residency Training Act 2017, in order to maintain industrial harmony with members across the country.

This was contained in a communique after a virtual emergency meeting launched from the Delta State Teaching Hospital in Oghara.

According to the statement signed by the President of the association, Dr. Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi and the General Secretary, Dr. Jerry Isogun, the law when adopted would address some challenges such as forceful payment of bench fees in some Teaching Hospitals, undue exit of members and salary arrears in states like Ondo, Imo, Kaduna, Lagos, Abia and Ekiti.

The group also advocated the transfer of its members to the IPPIS platform to avoid accumulation of salary arrears and to ease the overall training process.

The Executive Council requested an upward review of the Hazard Allowance to Resident Doctors which currently stands at five thousand naira monthly, despite the health dangers associated with the profession.

They also demanded the immediate payment of all COVID-19 induced allowances by state governments as was done for colleagues in federal institutions.

On the 2021 Medical Residency Training Fund, the statement tasked the relevant agencies in the health ministry to complete the process of approval of the funds by the end of this month.

The NARD, however, commended President Mohammadu Buhari’s administration and some state governments for the numerous collaborations with the body, geared towards ensuring industrial harmony in the health sector.

Over two hundred and fifty present and past leaders of the Association of Resident Doctors in Nigeria participated in the virtual summit.

Oghenero Eghweree

Health

UCH Resident Doctors Commence Strike, Say Consultants on Ground

By Web News 760

Residents Doctors at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, have embarked on an indefinite strike.

Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, UCH, Dr. Akin Sodipo, confirmed this while speaking with Radio Nigeria.

He noted that the action was in compliance with directives from the national body of the association.

Dr. Sodipo maintained that the strike was to press home their demands which include payment of three months salary of over two hundred medical officers and increment of hazard allowance. 

Dr Sodipo who pointed out that meetings were on-going however, added that consultants were on the ground to attend to patients.

Titilayo Kupoliyi

Health

Ogun Resident Doctors Cancel Planned Strike

By Web News 789

The Association of Resident Doctors of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu has cancelled its planned industrial action earlier scheduled to commence on Monday, 21st  September 2020.

This follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the state government.

Speaking with newsmen after signing the MOU, President, Association of Resident Doctors, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Mutiu Popoola, explained that the state government agreed to commit additional resources to the implementation of an enhanced salary package for medical practitioners at the hospital. 

Dr Popoola announced that the state government promised to provide Personal Protective Equipments towards ensuring that health workers were protected from hazards.

The union leader applauded the decision of the state government to continue to monitor the health system in the state towards ensuring that input was commensurate with the quality of health service output, describing the move as a welcome development.

In a remark, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Olatokunbo Talabi gave the assurance that the present administration would continue to give priority to the growth of the health sector and the well-being of the people.

Bolanle Adesida

Health

Resident Doctors Embark On Indefinite Strike

By Web News 857

Federal government have been urged to acceed to the demands of the National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, as they embark on indefinite strike.

Relatives of patients at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan stated this in an interview with Radio Nigeria.

Two of them, Mr. Rasheed Tiamiyu and Mrs. Ramota Sarumi said each time strike of this nature occurs many lives are lost.

Speaking, President National Association of Resident Doctors, UCH, Ibadan Dr. Adedayo Williams said the strike would be on until their demands which ranges from payment of the outstanding allowance to consequential adjustment of the national minimum wage was met.

Dr. Williams urged the presidency to look into the matter and treat it as an urgent one.

It would be recalled that the National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, had issued a twenty one day ultimatum to government which elapsed on 17th of august 2020.

Lilian Ibomor

Health

Ogun Govt. Appeals to Striking Resident Doctors

By Web News 675

The Ogun State Government has appealed to the striking resident doctors at the Sagamu Isolation centre to rescind their decision over the withdrawal of their services in the interest of the general public.

Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker made the appeal while answering questions from journalists in Abeokuta.

She stated that only two members of the Association of Resident Doctors withdrew their services from the state government isolation centre.

While assuring members of the general public of quality service delivery as the vacuum created by the resident doctors had been filled by other volunteers, the commissioner advised the striking doctors to show better understanding in the face of the challenges created by the pandemic.

The Secretary, Association of Resident Doctors in Ogun State, Dr. Tope Osundara when contacted to speak on the situation, said he would not comment on the matter because he was not working at the OOUTH and stressed that he knew nothing about the replacements.

Wale Oluokun

Health

Resident Doctors Demand Reversal of Disengaged Members

By Web News 939

The National Association of Resident Doctors, NARDs, has demanded the immediate reversal of illegal disengagement of twenty-six members of the association and payment of their accrued owed allowances and withheld salaries by the Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH.

This part of the resolutions contained in a Communiqué signed at the end of a virtual Fortieth Ordinary General Meeting, OGM, hosted by Association of Resident Doctors, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, ATBUTH, Bauchi chapter.

Addressing Journalists at the end of the OGM with a the theme “Health Inequalities and Social Determinants of Health in Nigeria, the National President of the association, Dr. Aliyu Sokomba said the association observed with dismay the illegal disengagement of its members in the phase of coronavirus pandemic without observing due process.

Dr. Sokomba also demanded the immediate implementation of the revised Hazard Allowance, procurement of Life Insurance and payment of death benefits to the Next of Kins of the bereaved and late members of the association.

He also called for the immediate payment of arrears of the new National Minimum Wage recently implemented to some Resident Doctors and implementation of same to state tertiary health institutions.

The National President also expressed displeasure with the incessant harassment of members of the association by security agents while carrying out their legitimate duties, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Lagos and Delta states.

The Association threatened to embark on a total national indefinite strike action, if the government fail to meet its demands.

Murtala Muhammad/FRCN Abuja

Health

Unpaid Salaries: UNIMED Resident Doctors Threaten Strike

By Web News 950

Resident doctors at the University of Medical Science Teaching Hospital, Ondo have threatened to resume their suspended strike if the state government fails to pay their six month salary arrears.

The medical doctors who declared this during a protest in Akure gave a seven-day ultimatum to the government after which they intend to down tool if there was no positive response.

Chairman of the association of resident doctors, UNIMED Teaching Hospital, Dr Ademola Shittu said they could no longer cope with the situation of not getting paid for months as they too had families to feed.

Also speaking the Public Relations Officer, PRO of the Resident Doctors’ Union, Dr John Mathew posited that it was risky for them to continue to be in the frontline especially in this era of covid-19 without being paid their wages promptly.

Another resident doctor, Taiwo Olagbe frowned at what he called insensitivity of government to their plight after series of meetings with key stakeholders in the matter.

The doctors who carried placards bearing various inscriptions also stressed the need for government to regularise the payment of their salaries as they were being owned between four and six month’s salaries.

Adebukola Bardi

Health

Ogun Resident Doctors Embark on Three Day Warning Strike

By Web News 905

Resident Doctors at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Ogun State, are to embark on a three-day warning strike from Monday 4th of May.

The doctors in a notice letter to the state government made available to newsmen in Abeokuta said the strike followed the refusal of the State government to yield to their agitations on the need for better welfare package.

The doctors through the letter accused the government of insensitivity to their plights.

The doctors said they decided to go on strike because of the noncommittal response to several letters written to the government and bemoaned the attitude of the government to the previous warning letters written to the government.

They however, exempted their members working at the COVID-19 Isolation center in the hospital from partaking in the strike.

The strike notice letter was jointly signed leaders of the resident doctors of the OOUTH, Dr. Popoola Mutiu and Dr. Osundara Tope.

Wale Oluokun