The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has declared an indefinite strike action due to the government’s failure to meet their demands. NARD’s President, Dr. Emeka Orji, announced that the strike will begin on Wednesday morning, July 26, 2023. The decision was made during a meeting held by the NARD National Executive Council members on Tuesday in Lagos.
The major demands of the association include:
– Immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
– Swift release of the circular on one-for-one replacement.
– Payment of skipping arrears and an upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) to restore it to its 2014 value.
– Payment of the arrears of consequential adjustment of minimum wage to omitted doctors.
– Reversal of the downgrading of the membership certificate by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
– Payment of new hazard allowance and omitted hazard allowance arrears.
– Implementation of corrected CONMESS in State Tertiary Health Institutions.
In response to the planned strike, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, had requested two weeks from NARD to meet with President Bola Tinubu to address the association’s demands.
