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Doctors threatens strike over non-paying of dead members’ insurance
The National Association of Resident Doctors says the families of frontline doctors, who died of COVID-19, have been abandoned despite N500bn released by the Federal Government last year for the COVID-19 response.
The National President of NARD, Dr. Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, said this during an interview.
Recall that the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, had, at a press briefing on April 4, 2020, said the Federal Government was working with stakeholders to structure medical and life insurance for health workers involved in the war against COVID-19 in Nigeria.
Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, had said, “In recognition of the danger to which our frontline health workers are exposed, the government is working with other stakeholders to structure medical and life insurance cover for their protection.”
Also, as part of the government’s response to COVID-19, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, had on April 7, 2020 announced the establishment of a N500bn COVID-19 crisis intervention fund.
The money, which was approved in tranches of N213.9bn and N286bn, was expected to fund the upgrade of health facilities, the Special Public Work Programmes being implemented by the National Directorate of Employment and other interventions.
Ahmed had said, “President Buhari has approved the establishment of a N500bn COVID-19 Crisis Intervention Fund. It will involve drawing much-needed cash resources from various special funds and accounts, in consultation with and with the approval of the National Assembly.
“The N500 billion is proposed to be utilised to upgrade healthcare facilities as earlier identified by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 approved by President Buhari. The fund is also to finance Federal Government’s interventions to support states in improving healthcare facilities.
But on Thursday, NARD, which is the umbrella body for all doctors undergoing residency training, said at least 17 of its members had died of COVID-19 while their families were not given any insurance claim.
The NARD President, therefore, stated that the body would be embarking on an indefinite strike beginning from March 31, 2021.
He said, “The families of doctors who died of COVID-19 have not been paid. They have been left behind and their families are struggling. Resident doctors under GIMFIS (Government Integrated Financial Management Information System; an IT-based system for budgeting and accounting) haven’t been paid in over three months and you are trying to curb brain drain?
“About 3,824 of our doctors were exposed to COVID-19 while 1, 600 were infected. About 17 died. The government said a premium would be paid, however, as we speak, nothing has been done. No family member has been given anything and they claim all doctors have been insured.
“I believe it is lip service. My predecessor in NARD met with ministers like Festus Keyamo, Olorunnimbe Mamora, Osagie Ehanire and Chris Ngige. They said we have been insured. They come to the table, make negotiations and then abandon them.”
March 19, 2021
BREAKING: Resident doctors to begin another nationwide strike on Monday
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has threatened to begin another nationwide strike starting from September 7.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), in a statement by its President, Dr Aliyu Sokomba; Secretary, Dr Bilqis Mohammad and Publicity Secretary, Dr Egbogu Stanley, said the strike would commence after expiration of the 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government on August 17.
They said: “NEC resolved to proceed on indefinite nationwide strike action from Monday 7th of September 2020 by 8:00am until the following conditions are met; immediate payment of the Medical Residency Training funding to all her members as approved in the revised 2020 budget; provision of genuine Group life insurance and death in service benefits for all health workers.
“Payment of the outstanding April/May and June COVID-19 inducement allowance to all health workers; determination of the revised hazard allowance for all health workers as agreed in previous meetings with relevant stakeholders; immediate payment of the salary shortfalls of 2014, 2015 and 2016.
“Doctors working under the various tertiary health institutions to be placed on appropriate salary grade level and universal implementation of the Medical Residency Training Act of 2017 in all state tertiary health institutions; payment of all arrears owed our members in Federal and states tertiary health institutions, arising from the consequential adjustment of the National minimum wage.”
Details shortly…
September 4, 2020
BREAKING:Resident doctors embarks on indefinite strike in Abuja
The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration, ARD-FCTA, have declared an indefinite strike commencing on Tuesday, September 1.
The group in a statement signed by Roland Aigbovo and Mustapha Ibrahim, chairman and general secretary of the association, said the decision was taken due to non-implementation of the variation of the 2018 promotion, the non-payment of COVID-19 hazard and inducement allowances, among other issues.
According to the association, the strike will go on until the issues they highlighted are addressed.
“Due to the insensitivity displayed by the Office of the Permanent Secretary, FCT, and widespread agitations among our members in the various FCT hospitals, isolation, and treatment centers, we regret to notify the administration and the general public that the association would embark on an indefinite strike action with effect from 8 am, 1st September, 2020.
“ We also wish to note that this will continue until the payment of the coronavirus hazard and inducement allowance is received and the variation of the 2018 promotion exercise implemented.
“We sincerely regret any inconvenience this might cause the Federal Capital Territory Administration and the general public needing healthcare delivery during this tough period.
“We, however, implore the FCT Administration to also look into the other myriads of problems raised in our earlier communication to the administration dated 14th August, 2020, with a view to resolving all pending issues so as to maintain industrial harmony,” the statement read.
September 1, 2020
Resident Doctors
By Abel Leonard/lafia
Chief Medical Director, Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Doctor Ikrama Hassan has reechoed his determination to wrestle medical tourism in Nasarawa State to the barest minimum with basic facilities in the hospital.
Dr. Hassan stated this when he received the North Central Caucus of the Association of Resident Doctors in Nigeria who paid him a courtesy visit today at his office in Lafia.
He said Residency training being the backbone of every sound healthcare delivery system, must be encouraged to trigger improved service delivery across board.
He further said the visit of the North Central Caucus of the Association of Resident Doctors in Nigeria to Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital today is a great achievement been the fact that the president is one the hospitals doctor.
Dr. Ikrama however observed that improving a system from where it was left, heralds a basic mandate of championing sustainable development to make a difference to enhance public service.
The medical boss also said the commitment of the hospital management to change the narrative is obvious from the plethora of achievements witnessed in the last couple of years, even as he decried the high rate medical tourism in the country, promising to correct the situation in the state.
He applauded the resident doctors for recognising the successes recorded in the last two years, pledging to sustain the tempo with their all-time support.
Earlier, the leader, North Central Caucus of the Association of Resident Doctors in Nigeria, Dr. Idirisu Abdul-Kadiri stressed that the hospital has witnessed remarkable development in accreditation, equipment and human development, saying this necessitated their visit to the hospital, to encouraging the management to do more.
The caucus which represents the 6 states of the North central zone and the FCT, said family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology departments now boast of trained professionals and sound service.
Appreciating the management of the hospital, President, Association of Resident Doctors in Nasarawa State, Doctor Iduku Peter declared support to the CMD for engendering innovative leadership style, soliciting for more human development training and sponsorship.
August 20, 2020
FG, resident doctors meeting stalled
The meeting between the Federal Government and the members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has ended in deadlock.
NARD had embarked on nationwide strike on Monday to press home its demands for payment of hazard allowance, group life insurance, payment of minimum wage consequential adjustment, among others.
Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment during the meeting on Tuesday in Abuja noted that health workers are the essential frontline officers during the COVID-19 pandemic and have suffered great mishaps across the country.
According to him, it is important to let you know that we have reached an agreement in many areas and the government side have shown evidence on the payment of the hazard and inducements allowances.
“We have paid those allowances since last night and it was directly paid into the account of recipients. So, we are hopeful that between the IPPIS office and the Central Bank, that before 24 hours they would all be credited for April and May.
“The payment is not for only Resident Doctors, but also for consultants, nurses, pharmacists, physiologist, mortuary attendants, ICU centres, and all health care workers in COVID-19 designated hospitals and all Federal Medical Centres in designate states.
“We assumed that these issues have been solved because IPPIS have shown evidence.
“We have also agreed on matters that are in court, that we should stepped them down, so that we do not enter areas that are in the purviews of the court.
“Also, on the issue of group life insurance and the employee compensation, we have assured them that they have been paid and we told them they have no right to make claim for the resident doctors or any other health workers that must have had mishap in the cause of work resulting to in death.
” For those who do not die or have mishap or accidents in the cause of their work but became incapacitated, they can always make claims through the Employee Compensation Act, which the Federal Government have already activated,” he said.
Ngige, however, said that the major issues have been take care of while other minor issues such as the compliant about the Head Dention, Port Harcourt, the appropriation for residence programme, which have also been taken care of.
He also noted that the Federal Government have assured the striking doctors that the appropriation for residence programme have been captured in the 2021 budget and would roll over from 2020.
Also, the Minister of Health, Dr Ehanire Osagie, said that Nigeria was the first country in the world where doctors went on strike during a global pandemic.
“The health of Nigerians is very important at this crucial time. We are ready to protect the lives of Nigerians, we are not going to allow our hospitals to fallow.
“The health of Nigerians are very important at this crucial time and the health workforce are essential services, we have pleaded and we have done everything to meet the demands that they have placed on the table.
“We at the Ministry of Health are ready to protect the lives of Nigerians, we are not going to allow our hospitals to fallow. The government have an obligations to support and keep the health every Nigerians.
“The resident doctors have told us that they are not returning to work very soon until certain conditions are met and they cannot keep extending the goal post any time they like,” he said.
He, therefore, said that certain steps needed to be taken, which involves issuing a directive to all Chief Medical Directors, directors of all Federal hospitals and institutions in the country to open up a register of attendance.
He added that by Wednesday morning 7a.m, they should record all those that come to work and all those who do not come to work will be noted and further actions will be followed.
“Those who report to work will be taken as those who are still in service and the register will be closed at 12 noon and by then we will known who want to still be in service, ” he said.
Speaking via phone, Dr Aliyu Sokomba, NARD President said that the resident doctors would call of their strike only when government comes up with tangible evidence.
He added that this is the only way that the strike can be called of within 24 hours.(NAN)
June 17, 2020
Resident doctors threaten nationwide indefinite strike
The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) chapter, on Monday urged the Federal Government to pay their allowances to avoid industrial action.
Dr Lanre Olosunde, the branch President of ARD, in statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin warned that the strike would commence on June 15, if their demand was not addressed
Olosunde said that health workers were poorly paid in spite the hazard encountered with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, incurring extra expenses and facing greater health risks.
According to him, the federal government wants to stall and if possible renege on agreement signed to pay hazard allowance to health workers.
“There is no better time for a government to prioritise health, workers and institutions.
”It is seven-days to a national indefinite strike by resident doctors. This strike is avertable if the government honours the agreement.
“The government should not be insensitive to doctors who have been in the front line especially in the on-going battle against COVID-19.
“Resident doctors constitute one of the major human power driving the healthcare of the nation,” the local ARD president said.
Olosunde said that many doctors have died in the line of duty after been exposed to dangerous diseases, urging government to do the needful.
“We have negotiated like gentlemen over and over again, but we have been left with no other option than to speak out loud and clear with a strike since the government has refused to do the needful,” he said.
Olosunde noted that the implications of being a health worker in the COVID-19 crisis was that while others stayed at home during the lock down, health workers went to work. (NAN)
June 9, 2020
Resident doctors in Kaduna begin industrial action
The Association of Resident Doctors ( ARD), Kaduna State chapter, has commenced an indefinite strike beginning from Wednesday.
The President of ARD, Dr Emmanuel Joseph said this in a statement made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.
He said the strike was necessitated by the state government’s failure to honour an agreement it had with the association bordering on salary adjustments and tackling some challenges in the health sector.
“So, we were compelled to take this sad step.
” As a sign of good faith, we will continue to manage the patience in the lnfectious Deseases Control Centre being currently managed for lassa fever till patients fully recover,” he said.
He said the doctors would not accept new patients in any public health facility and were currently discharging or referring patients on admission, “as we cannot fully manage them,” he said.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that since October 2017, the government and the ARD had mutually agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), in a meeting brokered by NMA, with timeline of implementation.
According to him, the ARD had kept its own part of the bargain while the government was yet to do so despite reminders and lobbying by the association.
According to him, the association also met with government on Nov. 25, 2019 and agreed to give it three months to implement the agreement, but also failed to do so.
“The government team again went to sleep until we were forced to give further reminder of our looming deadline,” he said.
According to him, the government responded by setting up a committee on Feb. 27, 2020, and the association honoured the committee chairman’s verbal demand for extension to March 3, 2020.
The state ARD president said the doctors had no option than to proceed on strike after the government again failed to respond to its demands at the end of the March 3 deadline. (NAN)
March 5, 2020
Resident doctors want law to protect health workers against assault
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has called for a law that would protect health workers against assault while on duty.
The association made the call in a statement jointly signed by its President, Dr Aliyu Sokomba; the Secretary General, Dr Bilkis Muhammed and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr Egbogu Stanley.
In the statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Sunday, the association decried the rising incidences of assault of health workers while carrying out their legitimate duties.
The doctors suggested that governments should pass the law to make any attack on doctors a non-bailable offence with a minimum of one-year jail term.
They lamented that the health professionals were being threatened and attacked, even while providing life-saving emergencies.
According to them, there was a dire need for legal protection that would ensure a secure working environment for doctors and other healthcare providers in the country.
“We condemn in very clear terms the recent assault of a female doctor at Maitama District Hospital, Abuja, who was violently attacked and stripped naked by relatives of patients she was treating.
“It is disheartening that a female doctor will be physically abused in such a dishonorable manner.
“In another incident on Jan. 14, at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, two male doctors on a call at the Special Care Unit were beaten mercilessly by patient relatives.
“The assailants attacked the doctors after losing a newborn baby to neonatal asphyxia after several efforts to resuscitate the baby failed.
“This ugly trend has become alarming, considering the spate of occurrence, especially in government hospitals where mobs freely take the law into their hands with apparent impunity without consequences,” they said.
The resident doctors, therefore, urged the government to step in and curb the trend
They stressed that the frightening development had made it impossible for doctors to work with dedication and devotion for fear of being attacked.
“We demand that doctors and other healthcare providers are provided with the protection they need while on duty.
“Strong action against any person who assault doctors and other health workers must be ensured by law enforcement, as such the need for relevant laws.
“In the meantime, we call on the federal, state and local governments and managers of health facilities to collaborate with security agencies to beef up security in health facilities.
“This will help in protecting all health workers and ensure arrest and prosecution of any person who assault health workers,” the doctors said.
The association called on its members to remain calm and continue to discharge their duties, assuring that they would ensure justice for the assaulted members to forestall future occurrence.(NAN)
January 20, 2020