The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has urged the Federal Government to increase the remuneration of medical doctors in Nigeria, describing the current salary as inadequate. Dr. Emmanuel Idoko, Chairman of NARD’s University of Calabar Teaching Hospital chapter, made this call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, amidst the association’s ongoing strike.

NARD embarked on an indefinite strike on November 1, to protest poor welfare, salary, and other issues affecting its members. The association is seeking the implementation of its 19 pending demands, which were agreed upon after a collective bargaining agreement with the Federal Government. The agreement, initially signed in 2009 and reviewed in 2014 and 2019, has yet to be implemented.

According to Dr. Idoko, the demands include the recruitment of more doctors to reduce workload, a review of the salary structure, reduction of call hours, and provision of modern hospital infrastructure. The association is also seeking recognition and certification of doctors who have passed their part-one specialist examinations.

The industrial action aims to prompt the government to implement the association’s demands. Dr. Idoko stated that the strike would continue until the government provides realistic timelines for implementing the demands. “Once we see realistic timelines, we will reconvene our National Executive Council (NEC) and review the situation,” he said.

The strike has significant implications for Nigeria’s healthcare system, which is already facing challenges in providing quality services to patients. The Federal Government’s response to NARD’s demands will be crucial in resolving the crisis and ensuring that medical services are restored to normal. With the strike ongoing, patients and their families are bearing the brunt of the industrial action, highlighting the need for a swift resolution to the dispute.