Strike: Tinubu Demands Immediate Action as Doctors Refuse to Budge

President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to swiftly implement measures to halt the current str...

President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to swiftly implement measures to halt the current strike led by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

The Health and Social Welfare Minister, Dr. Iziaq Salako, revealed this on Monday in Abuja at a press conference after NARD announced an open-ended strike.

The resident physicians stated that their countrywide 'total, complete, and ongoing' strike, which began on Saturday, will remain in effect until the federal government fulfills their requirements.

Reports from Daily Trust indicated that numerous healthcare centers, where resident doctors offer critical services, were largely empty on Monday.

NARD outlined 19 outstanding requests, covering unpaid debts, benefits, and rights like the 25/35 percent CONMESS evaluation, promotion back pay, upgrade arrears, and supplementary allowance, with certain issues remaining unresolved for more than five years.

The organization referred to the list as the essential criteria needed to maintain the country's health care system and revive respect for medical practice.

It criticized extended delays in promotions and advancements, pointing out that numerous doctors wait for years to get their benefits even after their promotions are approved, while others encounter 'serious blockages' following successful postgraduate examinations.

NARD also expressed disapproval of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), referring to it as "a source of frustration" that has led to salary deficits of as much as N100,000, and called for a dedicated payroll system tailored for the health sector to ensure precise payments.

The group criticized the limited return of fired doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Lokoja, stating that all five should be brought back without any conditions.

Additional complaints involve outstanding salary payments at hospitals in Benue, Owo, and Ile-Ife, refusal to provide specialist bonuses, inadequate enforcement of the one-for-one replacement policy, temporary employment of medical professionals, reduced starting positions, and long working hours.

NARD stated that its continuous open-ended strike is intended to protect Nigeria's healthcare system, rather than to penalize the public.

Shortly after NARD announced its ongoing strike, the federal government stated it would disburse N11.99 billion within 72 hours to help cover some of the unpaid salaries and allowances for healthcare workers across the nation.

Nevertheless, NARD cast doubt on the numbers provided.

Salako informed journalists on Monday that "President Tinubu has clearly instructed us to take every possible and lawful step to ensure that the resident doctors resume their positions as soon as feasible."

While expressing regret to Nigerians impacted by the strike, he pledged that the government was in discussions with the doctors to address their concerns.

He mentioned that the majority of the resident doctors' requests are already being handled.

He mentioned that a July circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission caused rifts among healthcare workers, leading to government action.

"We contacted the National Salaries and Wages Commission and the Presidential Committee for Salary Adjustment, and the circular was rescinded," he stated.

The minister mentioned that a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) process began in August to align talks between health unions, such as the Nigerian Medical Association, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, and the Joint Health Sector Unions.

He mentioned that two disputed matters—salary comparisons and the selection of non-physician advisors—temporarily delayed the discussions.

"It's impossible to discuss parity and relativity together; they contradict each other. We hired an outside mediator, who has provided a preliminary report, and the government is currently examining the suggestions," he added.

Salako stated that although CBA regulations discourage strikes while negotiations are ongoing, the ministry has kept engaging with NARD and other parties, including the finance and labor ministers.

Every one of the 19 demands needs to be fulfilled

NARD stated that its countrywide strike will persist until the federal government fulfills its 19 demands.

There are 19 items listed in the demand. This is what the National Executive Council has requested. All 19 matters need to be resolved," said Muhammad Suleiman, president of NARD, during a telephone interview with our correspondent on Monday evening.

In the meantime, the federal government has declared the formation of a task force within the ministry to carry out unexpected inspections at hospitals in order to track those not involved in the ongoing strike.

"Individuals not participating in the strike should be present at the site carrying out their duties," Salako stated.

When asked whether the "no work, no pay" policy would apply to the striking doctors, he stated: "The 'no work, no pay' policy is a directive from the federal government, not the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. It is the government's decision whether to implement it or not."

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).