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Tag: Resident doctors

  • Resident doctors to meet on strike today

    Resident doctors to meet on strike today

    The leadership of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD)  will meet today to appraise the response of the Federal Government to its demands.

    The Federal Government in a meeting with the leadership of NARD  on September 6 agreed to pay the arrears of salaries latest by September 8.

    Dr. Arikawe Adeolu, a member of the National Executive Council of NARD, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday that the meeting would allow the leadership to appraise the events since its meeting with government.

    Adeolu, who is also the General Secretary of NARD, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja, said the outcome of the appraisal would determine whether the nationwide indefinite strike would be called off or not.

    He said the appraisal was necessary as more than 90 per cent of members were yet to receive their arrears as at 3pm yesterday.

    He expressed optimism that the arrears would be paid as the Federal Government claims it had disbursed the arrears to the hospitals accordingly.

    “We were supposed to hold a meeting on September 8 but it didn’t hold because the essence of the meeting was defeated.

    “We thought that government would have paid by then but we got nothing. So, the meeting has been postponed to September 12; it will be a closed door meeting to carry out an appraisal of events so far.

    “The Federal Government claims that money has been paid to the hospitals. So, we need to confirm from members across the country if they have received their salary arrears.

    “Money is not usually paid directly to doctors; it is sent to the hospitals so what we are trying to do now is to verify whether the money has come into the hospitals for onward payment.

    “Today and tomorrow is enough time for this money to be disbursed to doctors if it really has been paid. By tomorrow we should have a clear view of whether this money has been paid or not,” Adeolu said.

    The association on Wednesday met with the Ministers of Health and his Labour, Prof. Isaac Adewole and Dr Chris Ngige.

    The purpose of the meeting was to find ways on how to end the strike.

    The doctors are protesting the sack of some of their colleagues, non-payment of “skipping” entitlement, non-inclusion in the IPPIS platform and non-payment of their salary arrears, among others.

    The industrial action commenced on Sept. 4

  • NMA, resident doctors differ over strike

    THE parent body of medical doctors, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), is not happy with the ongoing strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), it was learnt yesterday.

    According to a report  by the News agency of Nigeria (NAN), a misunderstanding is already brewing between the leadership of the NMA and the NARD over the “unauthorised industrial action”.

    It was gathered that a meeting has been fixed between the executives of the two bodies to resolve the issue.

    Resident doctors are postgraduate doctors attached to specialist centres such as teaching and general hospitals with a view to becoming consultants in specific fields after training under consultants. They constitute most of the doctors on ground in public hospitals. They are often called trainee doctors or doctors-in-training.

    The resident doctors on Monday declred an  indefinite strike to press home their demands. They want the payment of salary arrears, resolution of stagnated promotion and halt to alleged diversion of funds meant for them by chief medical directors (CMDs).

    But yesterday, some hospitals joined the strike as others shunned it.

    The Lagos University Hospital (LUTH) had some of the resident doctors attending to patients. But the situation was different at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, where there was full compliance with the industrial action.

    The hospital’s President of the Association of Resident Doctors, Dr. Ige Olajide, said his colleagues were angry and had refused to go contrary to the directives of the national body.

    At other government hospitals, activities were normal, as consultant doctors were treating patients. The management of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) yesterday promised uninterrupted medical services despite the strike.

    The Head, Corporate Affairs Unit of the hospital, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Omojasola said at an emergency meeting presided over by the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Abdulwaheed Olatinwo, the management lamented the recurrence of the strike by the doctors.

    Underlining the importance of the ‘Hippocratic Oath’ to all categories of doctors at their induction ceremony, the UITH management said it would ensure quality services to the hospital’s patients “as if there was no strike”.

    Many relatives of the patients at UITH interviewed expressed ignorance of the strike.

    Resident doctors at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, Ogun State yesterday declared that they had joined the strike.

    The President of ARD in the hospital, Dr. Taiwo Babajide, said: “The level of complaint with the directive of NARD here is 100 per cent and we have decided to stay in line with our parent body.”

    At the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Asaba, State General Hospital, Okwe, Asaba, including the Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), medical services were yesterday grounded despite efforts by their managements to save the situation. Patients were seen moving round the hospitals’ premises with little or no attention from the doctors.

    Although the hospitals’ managements attributed the situation to the fresh resumption from Sallah holidays, the Delta State President of NARD, Dr. Uwugiaren Nosakhare, said the national body of the association directed them to proceed on an indefinite strike.

    Chief Medical Director of LUTH Prof. Chris Bode yesterday appealed to NARD and the Federal Government to consider the health of patients and reach a compromise.

    The strike is already taking its toll on the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan as scores of patients were turned back.

    Except cases that were not critical, all other patients  were asked to access medical treatment elsewhere.

    The General Out Patient Department (GOP), where fresh cases were admitted into the hospital,  was virtually empty as patients were advised to seek medical help in other health facilities.

    Patients with critical ailment were worst hit with the deaths of unspecified number of them.

    However, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the teaching hospital, Professor Temitope Alonge, said the management is on top of the situation, with some of the management staff and nurses handling a few of the patients.

  • Shock as resident doctors begin strike over salaries

    Shock as resident doctors begin strike over salaries

    Return to work, minister pleads

    Medical Council: prevent illegality

    The Federal Government last night expressed “deep shock and utter disappointment as Resident Doctors began yesterday an indefinite strike to press home their demand for better pay.

    The action is coming three days after their leadership signed a  memorandum of terms of settlement with the government.

    Ministry of Labour and Employment spokesman Samuel Olowookere, in a statement, said the Federal Government was disapointed over the sudden u-turn by the leadership of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD ) after it had  reached a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the Federal Ministry of Health on its six-point demand.

    He added: “Minister of Labour and Employment Senator Chris Ngige, “in exercise of the powers conferred on him by the Trade Dispute Act 2004, has apprehended the ongoing strike by NARD. Consequently, the meeting between NARD and the government earlier scheduled for November 2 is now slated for Wednesday, September 6, 2017 (tomorrow) by noon at the Conference Room of the Minister of Labour and Employment. ”

    “All stakeholders are implored to attend this crucial meeting. The health and well-being of Nigerians are cardinal to President Buhari’s administration. Hence, every measure necessary shall be taken to restore normalcy”.

    Rising from their National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, the doctors said they were rejecting the terms of settlement, which would have seen the strike being suspended.

    But the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) warned doctors on internship not to join the strike.

    They risk repeating their programme, if they do, it said.

    In a notice of strike sent to chief medical directors and medical directors of hospitals and signed by the President and Secretary General, Dr. Onyebueze John and Dr. Aneke Emmanuel, the resident doctors said they rejected the terms, but did not give any reason for doing so.

    The letter reads: “The National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria, rising from her extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting which held on Sunday, 3rd September 2017 at Parkview Hotels, Abuja, rejected the Memorandum of terms of settlement from government on the items of her demand for strike and resolved to proceed on the proposed national, total and indefinite strike with effect from 8am Monday, 4th September 2017.”

    A message from the President of the Resident Doctors also reads: “Rising from our NEC meeting which started by 7pm yesterday (Sunday) and ended 3am today (Monday), NARD resolved to reject the promissory offer from government and proceed on total and indefinite strike until all items in her demand list are resolved by government.”

    The doctors are contesting what they described as the government’s failure to:

    • pay our salary shortfall of 2016 and January to May 2017;
    • rectify the salary shortfall from August 2017;
    • circularize House Officers’ entry point;
    • correct the stagnation of promotion of our members and properly place them on their appropriate grade level;
    • enroll and capture our members on the Integrated Personnel Payment Information System (IPPIS) and
    • budget, deduct and remit both the employer’s and employees’ pension contributions to our retirement savings account since 2013.

    After a meeting between the government’s representatives and officials of the doctors’ association and the Nigeria Medical Association on Thursday, both parties signed a memorandum of terms of agreement, pointing out that some of the issues being complained about by the association were already being addressed by the government.

    The memorandum was signed by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Minister of Health  Prof. Isaac Adewole. Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Prof. Stephen Ocheni, National President of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Prof. Mike O. Ogirima, National Association of Resident Doctors President Onyebueze John and of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission Chairman Richard Egbule.

    Other signatories are representatives of Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and the Budget Office of the Federation.

    The memorandum reads: “The meeting noted that some Federal Tertiary Health Institutions (FHTI) have paid a percentage of salaries to Resident Doctors and are consequently in arrears of salary payments to members of NARD and Honorary Consultants.

    “It was also noted that the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) had started the process of paying the shortfall of salaries owed in batches. It was therefore concluded that the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) should forward the list of the recipient FHTI to the Honourable Minister of Health to ensure that the released fund was used for its intended purpose. The payment for other FHTI not captured to be implemented before the end of October 2017.”

    On shortfall in salaries, it was agreed that “the Director Hospital Services is to address a circular/letter to the Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and state therein that the released funds should be used solely for salaries and shortfalls. The Federal Ministry of Finance should ensure that monthly salaries are paid in full.

    “Reference was made to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached at the 7th Senate in 2014, and House of Representatives with the Speaker presiding in 2016, where parties agreed to use the quantum of monies contained in CONHESS 9:4 for CONMESS 1:1.

    “It was concluded that effect should be given to previous Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) reached on this issue so that CONHESS 9:4 would be in parity with CONMESS 1:1. The Chairman NSIWC to get this circularised, after getting the quantum from FMoH. All matters on this issue should be finalised before the preparation of 2018 Budget is concluded.

    “Issues of skipping and matters ancillary thereto were discussed. The meeting noted that the Federal Ministry of Health had appealed against the ruling of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) on skipping and that a date has been given by the Court of Appeal for hearing in March, 2018.

    “It was further noted that a major issue is the improper placements on appropriate Salary Grade Levels. It was concluded that a proper guideline should be provided by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and that Item 4 of the MoU of December 16, 2013 should be adopted.

    “The Item 4 states that ‘the FMoH, NSIWC, NMA should urgently review the NMA’s proposal on skipping of CONTISS 10/CONHESS10/COMESS 2 in the new Scheme of Service with a view to amending it to reflect the suspension of the circular on unauthorised skipping of equivalent of CONMESS 2 for medical doctors in the Public Service.

    “The amended proposal shall be forwarded to the HCSF through the FMoH for an onward presentation to the forthcoming National Council on Establishment (NCE) on 24th January, 2014 in Ilorin.” In view of this earlier position, it was concluded that the Honourable Minister of Health (HMoH) should drive this issue and that no circular should be issued on the matter until it is concluded by the HMoH.

    “In view of the expected meeting of the Council of Establishment, the end of October was given as the tentative time limit to conclude the assignment by the FMoH and Office of the HCSF. Hospitals that are yet to implement skipping for doctors are to commence and henceforth, promotions should be in accordance with the Public Service Rules.

    “Based on the information given by the members of NARD, it was noted that only 18 Federal Tertiary Health Institutions had so far submitted their Nominal Roll. The meeting concluded that NARD members should be on the IPPIS platform and that the CMDs as well as the MDs should be requested by the FMoH to submit their Nominal Roll to the Office of the Accountant General of The Federation (OAGF) and copy to the FMoH and FML&E on or before September 15, 2017. It was agreed that all Resident Doctors should be captured on IPPIS platform by the end of October 2017.

    “It was concluded that NARD members are on pensionable appointment and, as such, the FMoH in conjunction with OAGF and Budget Office of the Federation (BOF) should take necessary steps to ensure that adequate budgetary allocations are made to cover the Pension requirements of NARD members.

    “Furthermore, FMoH should issue a letter in that regard to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation who would correspond with the Budget Office of the Federation for necessary action, as the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) had in a letter of February 12, 2015, Ref.PENCOM/INSP/C&E/CCPA/66/15/1167 to the Honourable Minister of Health affirmed that members of NARD are “employees”.

    “In view of the foregoing terms of settlement, NARD agreed to meet in an Emergency Session before Monday, September 4, 2017, for the presentation of this Memorandum to her National Executive Council with a view to averting the scheduled strike.”

     

  • Minister to doctors: Suspend your strike

    Minister to doctors: Suspend your strike

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, on Monday appealed to the resident doctors to suspend their strike in the interest of Nigerians.

    Adewole, who assured the doctors of Federal Government’s readiness to address all the issues in contention, said the government needed more time to address the problems.

    He said: “Another round of meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, September 6, 2017 and it is hoped that more progress would have been made in reaching consensus in all the issues being discussed.”

    He expressed the federal government’s determination to promote industrial harmony in the health sector.

  • Indefinite strike: FG, resident doctors sign MoU

    Indefinite strike: FG, resident doctors sign MoU

    The Federal Government has signed a memorandum of understanding with members of the National Association of Resident Doctors aimed at preventing Resident Doctors in federal government owned health facilities across the country from embarking on their planned strike action which was scheduled to commence on Monday, September 4.

    In the memorandum signed by government representatives and officials of the association and the Nigeria Medical Association and made available to newsmen at the end of a meeting called by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, the government and the association stressed that some of the issues being complained of by the association were already being addressed by the government.

    The memorandum was signed by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, Minister of Health,  Prof. Isaac Adewole. Minister of State Labour and Employment. Prof. Stephen Ocheni, National President of the Nigeria Medical Association, Prof. Mike O. Ogirima, President of National Association of Resident Doctors, Dr. Onyebueze John and Chairman of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, Chief Richard Egbule among others.

    Other signatories to the memorandum are representatives of Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and the Budget Office of the Federation.

    The National Association of Resident Doctors had informed the government that it embark on an indefinite strike action beginning from Monday, September 4, 2017 due to failure of government to pay salary shortfall for 2016 and between January and May, 2017.

    Other issues in dispute according to the association are Failure to rectify the salary shortfall from August 2017; failure to circularize House Officers’ entry point; failure to correct the stagnation of promotion of our members and properly place them on their appropriate grade level; failure to enroll and capture our members on the Integrated Personnel Payment Information System (IPPIS) and failure to budget, deduct and remit both the employer and employees’ contributions our pension to our retirement savings account since 2013.”

    A memorandum signed at the end of the meeting reads in part: “The meeting noted that some Federal Tertiary Health Institutions (FHTI) have paid a percentage of salaries to Resident Doctors and are consequently in arrears of salary payments to members of NARD and Honorary Consultants.

    “It was also noted that the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) had started the process of paying the shortfall of salaries owed in batches. It was therefore concluded that the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) should forward the list of the recipient FHTI to the Honourable Minister of Health to ensure that the released fund was used for its intended purpose. The payment for other FHTI not captured to be implemented before the end of October 2017.”

    On the issue of shortfall in salaries, the meeting mandated “the Director Hospital Services is to address a circular/letter to the Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and state therein that the released funds should be used solely for salaries and shortfalls. The Federal Ministry of Finance should ensure that monthly salaries are paid in full.

    “Reference was made to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached at the 7th Senate in 2014, and House of Representatives with the Speaker presiding in 2016, where Parties agreed to use the quantum of monies contained in CONHESS 9:4 for CONMESS 1:1.

    “It was concluded that effect should be given to previous Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) reached on this issue so that CONHESS 9:4 would be in parity with CONMESS 1:1. The Chairman NSIWC to get this circularized, after getting the quantum from FmoH. All matters on this issue should be finalised before the preparation of 2018 Budget is concluded.

    “Issues of skipping and matters ancillary thereto were discussed. The meeting noted that the Federal Ministry of Health had appealed against the ruling of the National Industrial court of Nigeria (NICN) on skipping and that a date has been given by the Court of Appeal for Hearing in March, 2018.

    “It was further noted that a major issue is the improper placements on appropriate Salary Grade Levels. It was concluded that a proper guideline should be provided by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and that Item 4 of the MoU of December 16, 2013 should be adopted.

    “The Item 4 states that ‘the FMoH, NSIWC, NMA should urgently review the NMA’s proposal on skipping of CONTISS 10/CONHESS10/COMESS 2 in the new Scheme of Service with a view to amending it to reflect the suspension of the circular on unauthorized skipping of equivalent of CONMESS 2 for Medical Doctors in the Public Service.

    “The amended proposal shall be forwarded to the HCSF through the FMoH for an onward presentation to the forthcoming National Council on Establishment (NCE) on 24th January, 2014 in Ilorin.” In view of this earlier position, it was concluded that the Honourable Minister of Health (HMoH) should drive this issue and that no circular should be issued on the matter until it is concluded by the HMoH.

    “In view of the expected meeting of the Council of Establishment, the end of October was given as the tentative time limit to conclude the assignment by the FMoH and Office of the HCSF. Hospitals that are yet to implement skipping for doctors are to commence and henceforth, promotions should be in accordance with the Public Service Rules.

    “Based on the information given by the members of NARD, it was noted that only 18 Federal Tertiary Health Institutions had so far submitted their Nominal Roll. The meeting concluded that NARD members should be on the IPPIS platform and that the CMDs as well as the MDs should be requested by the FMoH to submit their Nominal Roll to the Office of the Accountant General of The Federation (OAGF) and copy to the FMoH and FML&E on or before September 15, 2017. It was agreed that all Resident Doctors should be captured on IPPIS platform by the end of October 2017.

    “It was concluded that NARD members are on Pensionable appointment and as such the FMoH in conjunction with OAGF and Budget Office of the Federation (BOF) should take necessary steps to ensure that adequate budgetary allocations are made to cover the Pension requirements of NARD members.

    “Furthermore, FMoH should issue a letter in that regard to the Head Civil Service of the Federation who would correspond with the Budget Office of the Federation for necessary action, as the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) had in a letter of February 12, 2015, Ref.PENCOM/INSP/C&E/CCPA/66/15/1167 to the Honourable Minister of Health affirmed that members of NARD are “Employees”. The letter went further to define an employee as any person employed in the service of the Federation, the FCT, a Government of a State of Nigeria, Local Government Council or private company or organization or firm.

    “In view of the foregoing terms of settlement, NARD agreed to meet in an Emergency Session before Monday, September 4, 2017, for the presentation of this Memorandum to her National Executive Council with a view to averting the scheduled strike.”

     

  • Strike: resident doctors give FG 21-day ultimatum

    Strike: resident doctors give FG 21-day ultimatum

    •Refer Health Minister, two other members for sanction

    Resident doctors have threatened to down tools in the next 21 days except the federal government meet their demands.

    The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) also referred Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole; a former health minister, Dr Onyebuchi Chukwu, and one other, all life members, for sanction for carrying out activities and actions inimical to welfare and progress of the association.

    In a communiqué at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the association in Calabar by its president, Dr Onyebueze John; Secretary General, Dr Aneke Emmanuel and Publicity Secretary, Dr Asinobi Ugoeze, the resident doctors demanded their immediate enrolment on the IPPIS platform without further delay.

    Other demands include, according to the communiqué include, “The circularisation of house officer entry point despite various collective agreements on same.

    “The plan of the Federal Government to stagnate the promotion of resident doctors.

    “The delay in payment of salary shortfalls experienced between January and May 2017 as well as outstanding shortfalls from 2016.

    “The cloud of poor working conditions and poor remunerations that our members in the state Tertiary health institutions have endured despite our appeals to relevant stakeholders and having proffered viable solutions to the quagmire.

    “The recent attempts by official as of some Federal Government parastatals to erode the proper placement for resident doctors on their appropriate grade levels and steps which was noted with dismay.”

    Others are: “The activities of some past and current top officials of the Ministry of Health who are our life members which are viewed as inimical to the welfare and progress of the association.

    “That in view of the negative actions and stance of the following life members of our association on the aforementioned issues, Prof Isaac Adewole, Dr Wapada Balami, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, they are hereby referred to NARD disciplinary committee for adjudication and further action.

    “In the light of the foregoing, NARD gives the Federal Government of Nigeria 21 days to address these issues in totality failing which NARD cannot continue to guarantee industrial harmony.”

  • FG to doctors: Stop using strikes to seek redress

    FG to doctors: Stop using strikes to seek redress

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, on Tuesday appealed to medical doctors in government payroll to desist from using strike actions to seek improved working conditions.

    Lawal said such industrial actions may cause the doctors to lose public sympathy due to several avoidable deaths that accompanied such strikes.

    He also assured that the federal government within the limited resources is desirous of improving the working environment of government medical institutions, saying gradual improvements will soon be seen in hospitals across the country.

    The SGF spoke while receiving the executives of the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD) in Abuja.

    Lawal, in a statement issued by the Director (Press) in the Office of the SGF, Bolaji Adebiyi, also said doctors in Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, are not being victimized.

    He said the doctors’ demand for the Chief Medical Director’s sack was abnormal since they don’t have the authority to make such decision.

    “The doctors should have made their grievances known to the government for action,” he said.

    The President of NARD, Dr. John Onyebueze, who led the delegation, listed several challenges confronting the association.

    The challenges, he said, included poor funding of hospitals, lack of critical equipment, the issue of improved salary structure, pension matters and the plight of their colleagues in Federal Medical Center, Owerri.

     

  • We’ll go on strike on January 2 if… – Resident doctors

    We’ll go on strike on January 2 if… – Resident doctors

    The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has urged the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the lingering crises in the health sector to avert an impending strike by doctors.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that NARD had issued a three-week strike notice that is expected to end on Jan. 2, 2017.

    The Public Relations Officer of the association, Dr Ugoeze Asinobi, told NAN in Yenagoa on Monday that the doctors had shelved the planned strike three times in the past four months and were bent on going n strike from January 2.

    Resident Doctors are agitating for a uniform template for the Residency Programme, infrastructure for tertiary health facilities, proper grading of doctors and payment of outstanding salaries amongst other issues

    “We don’t want strikes but we are going to have to resort to it again, the residency programme is fundamental to effective healthy care given the dearth of manpower as the country has less than 20 per cent of required experts.

    “Each time the ultimatum expired we shift it in the hope that things will be made right within the time given but it is now obvious the Ministry officials are insincere.

    “The issues we go on strike for are always the same issues and we are resolute to withdraw services come January 2 if our concerns are not addressed..

    “One wonders if health ministry officials are sabotaging the efforts of President Buhari on purpose as their brazen and blatant disregard to the most basic institutional needs of the major workhorses of the health sector leaves a lot to be desired.

    “Their attitude leaves one bewildered as sabotage appears to be the only logical explanation,” Asinobi said.

    He noted that officials of Federal Ministry of Health were playing politics with the lives of Nigerians as they were insensitive and disconnected from the realities the masses are facing in their daily lives.

    Asinobi said that NARD frowned at the wastage in building new primary health centres rather than rehabilitating, equipping and staffing existing ones with requisite manpower.

    The NARD spokesman explained that resident doctors had always embraced dialogue and discussions in finding lasting peace but regretted that their commitment to peace and industrial harmony was yet to be reciprocated.

    He said that the present executive of NARD remains committed to end the myriad of incursions adversely affecting the welfare of resident doctors.

    He appealed to the federal government to wade into the industrial dispute in the overall interest of the welfare of the citizenry. (NAN)

  • Resident doctors suspend strike

    Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) branch has suspended ten weeks strike embarked upon by the union on August 3, 2016 following some local and national issues that were in contention.

    In a joint press briefing yesterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, which was led by the Chief Medical Director (CMD) Prof. Aaron Ojule, with other senior staff of the hospital, the leadership of the resident doctors called for immediate resumption of duty by all staff of the hospital.

    Prof. Ojule, while addressing the press applauded the Minster of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, the resident doctors and other medical elders who he said were instrumental to the resolution of the crises.

  • UCH resident doctors suspend strike

    Dr Luqman Ogunjimi, the Chairman, Asssociation of Resident Doctors (ARD), University College Hospital (UCH) chapter said the strike embarked upon by doctors had been suspended.

    Ogunjimi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Ibadan that the doctors suspended the strike at the emergency meeting of the National Executive Council meeting of the association held in Abuja on Friday.

    “Rising from the NARD ENEC in Abuja, the decision reached is to suspend the strike action now, but work resumes fully on Monday, 27 June, 2016.

    “We will recommence on Aug. 1, 2016, if these agitations are not addressed and implemented.

    “We appreciate the leadership of House of Representatives, Federal Ministry of Health and all the good people Nigeria.

    “We hope all agreement reached will be respected,” he said.