By Ayo Kehinde
The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given the Federal Government two weeks to honour outstanding agreements and resolve welfare and professional issues affecting its members, warning that failure to meet its demands could trigger industrial action.
The ultimatum was contained in resolutions adopted at the association’s 46th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Calabar, Cross River State.
NARD National President, Dr. Emmanuel Ogar, read the resolutions at the meeting, where resident doctors expressed concern over the slow pace of implementation of agreements reached with the Federal Government.
The association said prolonged delays in resolving the issues had become unacceptable, urging the government to use the two-week window to address the outstanding matters and avert a breakdown of industrial harmony in the health sector.
Among the issues highlighted by NARD are remuneration, career progression, professional allowances, excessive workload, manpower shortages and the general welfare of resident doctors.
The doctors demanded the immediate implementation of agreements reached with the federal government, particularly those concerning improved conditions of service and professional development.
They also urged the government to conclude the review of existing remuneration and professional salary structures for doctors, arguing that the current framework no longer adequately reflects prevailing economic realities.
NARD demanded appropriate compensation for excess workload arising from manpower shortages in hospitals.
The association said resident doctors were increasingly carrying additional responsibilities because of shortages of medical personnel, resulting in increased pressure on doctors and contributing to burnout.
It called for standardised templates for compensating doctors for excess workload and reliable data to justify payments to medical personnel performing duties beyond their normal responsibilities.
The association also raised concern over the continuing migration of doctors and other health professionals from Nigeria, saying the development had further worsened manpower shortages and increased the workload of doctors who remain in the country.
NARD urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to urgently address the factors responsible for the continued migration of medical professionals.
It also called on state governments to prioritise the welfare of doctors and other health workers employed by their respective institutions and ensure the implementation of relevant welfare policies.
The resident doctors expressed concern over attacks on health workers and called for the full implementation of policies and anti-assault measures designed to protect doctors and other medical personnel in hospitals.
They also demanded improved infrastructure, adequate medical equipment and better working conditions in health institutions, saying these were necessary to improve patient safety and healthcare delivery.
NARD urged the National Assembly to strengthen budgetary provisions for healthcare, stressing that adequate funding remained critical to addressing the challenges confronting the sector.
The association further demanded the prompt payment of salaries and other entitlements owed to house officers and called for their inclusion in relevant welfare arrangements.
On electronic clocking systems in hospitals, NARD said it was not opposed to their deployment, provided they were properly implemented and used to support accurate data management rather than punish medical personnel.
The association said several agreements and commitments reached with the federal government had remained unresolved despite repeated meetings and assurances.
It therefore urged the government to use the two-week ultimatum to resolve the outstanding issues and avert industrial action.
The resident doctors said addressing the grievances would improve their welfare, reduce burnout, and ultimately enhance the quality of healthcare available to Nigerians.
