The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to resolve outstanding welfare and professional issues affecting resident doctors, warning that failure to act could lead to industrial action in the health sector.
The ultimatum was issued in resolutions reached at NARD’s 46th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Calabar on Sunday. Reading the resolutions, NARD National President, Dr Emmanuel Ogar, said the association was concerned about the slow implementation of agreements reached with the Federal Government and the continued delay in addressing issues affecting doctors’ working conditions.
The resident doctors demanded immediate action on outstanding issues covering remuneration, career progression, professional allowances, excessive workload, manpower shortages and the general welfare of their members.
NARD called for the immediate implementation of agreements reached with the Federal Government, particularly those concerning improved conditions of service and professional development.
The association also called for the conclusion of the review of existing remuneration and professional salary structures for doctors, saying the current framework no longer adequately reflected prevailing economic realities.
Speaking on workload, NARD demanded appropriate compensation for doctors carrying out duties beyond their normal responsibilities as a result of manpower shortages in hospitals.
The association called for standardised templates for the payment of excess workload and reliable data to support compensation for doctors performing additional duties.
NARD also raised concern over attacks on health workers and called for the full implementation of existing policies and anti-assault measures designed to protect doctors and other medical personnel in hospitals.
The association further expressed concern over the continued migration of doctors and other health professionals from Nigeria, saying the development had worsened manpower shortages and increased the workload on doctors who remain in the country.
It therefore urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to urgently address the factors responsible for the continued migration of medical professionals.
NARD also called on state governments to prioritise the welfare of doctors and other health workers employed by their institutions and ensure the implementation of relevant welfare policies.
The association demanded improved infrastructure, adequate medical equipment and better working conditions in health institutions, saying these were necessary to improve patient safety and healthcare delivery.
It also urged the National Assembly to strengthen budgetary provisions for healthcare, stressing that adequate funding remained critical to addressing challenges in the sector.
On the welfare of house officers, NARD demanded the prompt payment of outstanding salaries and other entitlements and called for their inclusion in relevant welfare arrangements.
The association also addressed the use of electronic clocking systems in hospitals, saying it was not opposed to their deployment provided they were properly implemented and used to support accurate data management rather than punish medical personnel.
NARD said several agreements and commitments reached with the Federal Government had remained unresolved despite repeated meetings and assurances.
The association 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.
According to the resident doctors, resolving the disputes would improve their welfare, reduce burnout and ultimately contribute to better healthcare delivery for Nigerians.
The AGM also saw the election of new national officers, with Dr Emmanuel Ogar emerging as president alongside other members of the National Executive Council.
NARD urged the new leadership to pursue the implementation of the resolutions and sustain engagement with the Federal Government towards achieving improved conditions of service for resident doctors.
