The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to resolve outstanding welfare and professional issues affecting its members, warning that failure to act could trigger industrial action.
The ultimatum was contained in resolutions reached at the association’s 46th Annual General Meeting held in Calabar on Sunday.
The NARD National President, Dr Ogar Emmanuel Idoko, read the resolutions at the meeting.
The resident doctors expressed concern over what they described as the slow implementation of agreements reached with the Federal Government, saying prolonged delays had become unacceptable.
They called for urgent action on issues including remuneration, career progression, professional allowances, excessive workload, manpower shortages and the general welfare of resident doctors.
The association demanded the immediate implementation of existing agreements with the government, particularly those relating to improved conditions of service and professional development.
It also called for the completion of the review of remuneration and professional salary structures for doctors, arguing that the current framework no longer adequately reflects prevailing economic realities.
NARD further demanded appropriate compensation for doctors handling excessive workloads caused by manpower shortages in hospitals.
It called for standardised templates for excess-workload compensation, as well as reliable data to support payments to doctors performing duties beyond their normal responsibilities.
Doctors’ safety and migration
The association raised concerns over attacks on healthcare workers and urged the government to fully implement existing policies and anti-assault measures aimed at protecting doctors and other medical personnel in hospitals.
It also expressed concern over the continued migration of doctors and other health professionals from Nigeria, saying the trend had worsened manpower shortages and increased the workload of those remaining in the country.
NARD urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to urgently address the factors driving the migration of medical professionals.
The association also called on state governments to prioritise the welfare of doctors and other healthcare workers employed by their institutions and ensure the implementation of relevant welfare policies.
It demanded improved infrastructure, adequate medical equipment and better working conditions across health institutions to promote patient safety and improve healthcare delivery.
NARD also urged the National Assembly to strengthen budgetary allocations to the health sector, stressing that adequate funding was essential to addressing persistent challenges in healthcare delivery.
The association called for the prompt payment of outstanding salaries and other entitlements owed to house officers and their inclusion in relevant welfare arrangements.
Electronic clocking systems
On electronic clocking systems in hospitals, NARD said it was not opposed to their deployment, provided they were properly implemented and used primarily for accurate data management rather than as a punitive measure against medical personnel.
The association noted that several agreements and commitments reached with the Federal Government remained unresolved despite repeated meetings and assurances.
It therefore urged the government to use the two-week window to address the outstanding issues and avert a breakdown of industrial harmony in the health sector.
NARD said resolving the disputes would improve doctors’ welfare, reduce burnout and ultimately contribute to better healthcare delivery for Nigerians.
The association also elected new national officers, with Dr Ogar Emmanuel Idoko emerging as president, alongside other members of the National Executive Council.
It urged the new leadership to pursue the implementation of the resolutions and maintain engagement with the government towards improving conditions of service for resident doctors.
NAN
