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Tag: Resident doctors

  • Fed Govt sacks striking resident doctors

    Fed Govt sacks striking resident doctors

     

    The estimated 14,000 resident doctors in tertiary hospitals who have been on strike were yesterday ordered replaced by the federal government.

    The action came after many failed negotiations between the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and the federal government over work condition, training and other welfare matters.

    The intervention by House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, also failed to get the doctors back to work.

    Minster of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole, yesterday directed that they should be replaced with others from the pool of applicants for the training programmes in the various disciplines.

    The minister issued the stern directive to Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and Medical Director (MDs) of Federal Government Tertiary Health Institutions to fill the vacancies created by the  resident doctors who have abandoned their training programme by refusing to report for work.

    The directive, according to a statement by Mrs.Boade Akinola, Director, Media and Public Relations, ministry of Health, was contained in a circular signed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Amina Shamaki and sent to the CMDs and MDs of the Federal Tertiary Health Institutions.

    The Circular reads: “It has come to the notice of the Management of the Ministry that some Resident Doctors in your establishment have voluntarily withdrawn from the Residency Training Program by refusing to report for training without authorization. Public Service Rule, PSR 030402 (e) is relevant. This is in spite of the ongoing negotiations on their demands put forward by the representatives of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) under the auspices of the Nigerian Medical Association.

    “In view of this development, you are hereby directed to replace all the Doctors that have withdrawn their services, with others from the pool of applicants for the training programs in the various disciplines in order not to create ominous gap in training with attendant disruption of health care delivery in your facility.

    “Meanwhile, the Ministry is working with the panel on the review of the Residency Training Program in Nigeria, led by Professor Wole Atoyebi, the Registrar of the National Postgraduate Medical College, to fast-track the development of a comprehensive blueprint for postgraduate training of doctors in the country.

    “Please, ensure immediate compliance.

    NARD President Dr Muhammad Askira, had explained that after critical analysis of issues affecting NARD at an “extra-ordinary National Executive Council, (NEC) meeting, the NEC observed that there were some processes still on-going in resolving the impasse between government and the doctors, and that the efforts so far made by government had not yet met the doctors’ demands.

    The NARD president said there were issues yet to be attended to by government. He said:  ”Resident doctors who work in states of the country that were yet to be paid their salaries; skipping and all accrued arrears for doctors yet to be implemented in most hospitals in the country; unpaid December salaries of doctors in some federal hospitals, and, house officers’ entry steps have not been effected.

  • Resident doctors give Fed Govt strike notice

    Resident doctors give Fed Govt strike notice

    The National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD) has given the Federal Government a 21-day notice to meet their demands or face an indefinite strike

    NARD’s President Dr. Muhammad Askira, who spoke at a news conference yesterday in Abuja, said the ultimatum took effect from April 4.

    According to him, the resolution was reached by members at the end of the association’s extraordinary executive council.

    He listed some of their demands as payments of members’ salaries till date and appropriate placement of members in states and federal tertiary hospitals across the nation.

    Others are reversal of sacked members in some hospitals as well as appropriate funding of residency training programme.

    Askira said some of their members in states tertiary hospitals in Osun, Imo, Ekiti, Abia and Kogi, among others, were owed  three to eight months’ salary.

    Askira, however, urged the government to adequately fund hospitals and upgrade facilities in public hospitals in line with international best practices.

    The president said upgrading public health facilities would curb medical tourism.

    “NARD will no longer tolerate undue sack of resident doctors and demands immediate reversal of such, and urge governments to comply with the pension deductions act as amended in 2014.

    “We urged the government to ensure appropriate and adequate remuneration of our members at hospitals,’’ Askira said.

    Reacting to the Health minister’s threat that any health worker engaged in industrial disharmony would forfeit his salary, Askira requested the minister to ascribe penalties for “work without pay” before the penalty for “no work no pay”.

    He said resident doctors would help politicians deliver democratic dividends, describing anybody that denied them their entitlement as an enemy of Nigerians.

    “My only concern is the situation whereby the government allows people to go on strike. Looking at our demands, they are solely the responsibilities of the government. At the moment, doctors in Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Irrua and FMC, Owerri, have not been paid their December salaries.

    “Residents doctors work all day and night meeting the health needs of Nigerians that come to us for consultation.

    “When a big man in Abuja is involved in an accident or whatsoever, we are the first to receive him; then why this maltreatment?” he queried.

  • Lassa fever: Doctors seek compensation for deceased members

    Lassa fever: Doctors seek compensation for deceased members

    Following the outbreak of Lassa fever in the country that claimed the lives of two of its members, the National Association of Resident Doctors has appealed to Federal Government to compensate the family members of the deceased doctors and other health providers who lost their lives to the deadly disease.

    The dead resident doctors are Dr Living Jamala and Dr Charles Bamidele in Rivers and Osun State respectively.

    Speaking on various issues through an eighteen points resolution contained in a communique, issued at the end of a week-long council meeting held at University College Hospital, Ibadan, the National President of NARD, Dr Muhammad Askira aid as a result of the casualties recorded by the doctors and Health workers, implored government to revisit and review the hazard allowance.

    He noted that this is necessary because the paltry N5, 000 hazard allowance for healthcare providers is grossly inadequate.

    “Government at all levels must enhance the capacity of our healthcare institutions with adequate facilities for containment of any form of disease epidemics. This is because Nigeria has the capacity to put in place adequate measures for prevention, diagnosis and management of almost all tropical illness. “He said

    While attributing the lassa fever scourge to the dilapidating condition of both the primary and secondary levels of health care, Askira noted that the universal applicability in terms of policy guide on issues bordering on clinical governance and remuneration is yet to be attained in all the three levels of care through the three tiers of government.

    He further urged the government to revamp the primary and secondary levels of health care as a measure that will ensure universal health coverage in all dimensions and equitable access to quality healthcare by all Nigerians‎.

    The NARD boss enjoined the federal government to accelerate implementation of the National Health Act without further delay, saying that will not only positively impact on the lives of Nigerians but also improve healthcare legislation and effective quality service delivery in the country.

    He also implored the FG and the National Assembly to promptly intervene in the industrial dispute between her members and the State of Osun government, so as to expeditiously resolve the crises before it escalates into national disharmony.

  • UCH resident doctors suspend strike

    •Obasanjo, Olubadan, others intervene

    RESIDENT doctors at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan yesterday suspended their 105-day-old strike.

    This came following the intervention of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Olubadan-in-Council and other eminent personalities and associations.

    The UCH Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Temitope Alonge, last week, urged the resident doctors to call off the strike.

    He assured them that the hospital’s management was already looking into their grievances.

    President of UCH branch of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) Dr. Luqman Ogujimi and its secretary, Dr. Anthonu Ude, made the suspension broke the news to reporters.

    They said the association agreed that the strike be suspended last Friday at a congress held by members.

    The association said:”Our members are hereby directed by the emergency general meeting of the ARD, UCH, to resume back to their duty posts 8a.m. on Monday, August 17, 2015, while negotiation continues.

    “The congress took this decision on the August 14,2015, following the intervention  of Chief  Olusegun Obasanjo, medical  elders, Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (UCH), the good people of Ibadan and more importantly  for the sake of our patients.  It is our hope that the UCH management will keep its side of the bargain.”

  • Resident doctors to Fed Govt: undertake forensic audit of health institutions

    The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) yesterday urged the Federal Government to institute a forensic personnel audit of federal tertiary health institutions.

    The President of NARD, Dr Dan-Jumbo Prince, spoke at a news conference in Lagos.

    Prince said that this would assist in appraising the level of spending and development in the nation’s health sector.

    He said that this was part of the resolutions of the association at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun.

    Prince said, “we reached some resolutions and one of them is that the Federal Government should immediately institute a forensic personnel audit of the federal tertiary health institutions.

    “The aim of the audit is to establish the true personnel spending, plugging of all leakages and reinvesting for the manpower and infrastructural development in the sector.’’

    He said fund was not allocated for residency in the 2015 budget, urging the Federal Government to make provisions for residency training in the 2016 budget.

    Prince also spoke on the incessant strikes in some tertiary health institutions.

    He said: “There are pockets of strikes in various Federal and State hospitals across the country.

    “This is due to the refusal of some Chief Medical Directors/Medical Directors to implement the directive of the Federal Government on the Adjustment of Grade of doctors according to a Dec.19, 2013 letter.

    “The refusal of these CMDs/MDs to obey the directive of the Federal Government has caused untold hardships to many Nigerians in accessing affordable health care.

    “NARD directs her local centres on strike to immediately engage their various hospital managements with the circular with reference C.2262/T/111 and dated July 29.

    “This is with a view to restore services as soon as the managements commence implementation of the directives.’’

  • Resident doctors’ three-day warning strike ends today

    Resident doctors’ three-day warning strike ends today

    The National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD)’s three day warning strike enters its final day today.

    The medics embarked on the strike to press home their demand for the payment of their outstanding salaries and allowances as well as skipping of grade levels.

    At the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba; Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta; Orthopeadic Hospital, Igbobi;  Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja and Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, consultants as well as other health and allied health professionals were attending to patients, especially at the Accident and Emergency (A and E) units.

    The private wings of LUTH and LASUTH with their Critical Care and Intensive Care Units (CIU) are functioning maximally, without any interruption. The consultants are reporting at their duty posts.

    Kitchens, laboratories, nursing units and the pharmacies are rendering full functional services in most of these hospitals.

    But human traffic is slow compared to when the doctors were not on strike.

    President ARD LUTH Dr Ramon Moronkola said the hospital management had initiated action to resolve the strike but the process is slow.

    He said doctors embarked on the strike as a last option, adding that it could have been prevented if the management had listened to their demands.

    Moronkola urged the management to expedite action on doctors’ demands to resolve the crisis.

    At FMC Ebute-Metta, patients due for surgeries are being rescheduled.

    An out-patient, who pleaded not to be named, said: “I have been using this hospital in preparation for fibroid surgery.

    “I came here for my appointment, which was to get note for the next diagnoses and other prescriptions, but the nurses said there was no doctor to attend to me, until after the strike.

    “Tomorrow is my next appointment. Hopefully, I will see the doctor because the nurses said the striking doctors would have called off their strike by then.”

    Though the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has described the strike as unwarranted, just as the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has equally kicked against the strike, yet NARD has vowed to embark on a full strike, today, if its demands are not met.

  • Resident doctors threaten strike over unpaid wages

    The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has threatened to embark on nationwide strike to protest non-payment of wages of its members in eight states.

    Its president, Dr. Dan-Jumbo Prince, gave the warning yesterday while addressing reporters in Ibadan on healthcare situation at Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital (LTH).

    “Some state governments are owing our members their wages;  in Abia State for 12 months, Osun State for eight months, Oyo for six months, Benue State for six months, Lagos State for two months, and in Rivers, Kogi and Plateau states, they are owing them four months,” he said.

    He wondered how the states expect his members to deliver safe, quality, and effective healthcare to the people in the face of the hardship facing resident doctors.

    “Embarrassment has being our situation from our children schools, our landlords and even in the market with the resultant effect of no money for food and no means of transport to work,” the NARD president added.

    On situation in LTH, he said:” Our members in LTH, Ogbomoso is yet to receive any salary since the beginning of this year, culminating in over five months unpaid salaries.

    “We therefore appeal to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, well-meaning citizens of Nigeria and human rights organisations to wade into this ugly situation in LTH, Ogbomoso, Oyo State to ensure adequate healthcare for the citizens.”

    Dr. Prince gave the state governments owing his members two weeks’ ultimatum to pay up, warning that if they did not, the association will embark on a nationwide strike.

  • Resident doctors to politicians: invest in health

    Resident doctors have appealed to politicians to invest in the health sector.

    The doctors said politicians should give priority to the provision of excellent health infrastructure and invest more in the sector because the well-being of the populace depends on it.

    President of the association in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Dr. Isaac Akerele made the call at a news briefing on the implementation of the consolidated salary structure in Abuja.

    Akerele said : “Politicians should take the agenda of health very important. Health for all Nigerians. Investment in health should be dear to their heart and be the first.  If that will be the only thing they will focus on.

    “Doctors have to be de-tribalised to be a good doctor. We believe that health care should be given equally irrespective of the political parties. “He urged them to avoid travelling overseas for treatment that could be provided locally.

    Speaking on their welfare,  the ARD disclosed that the Federal Capital erritory Authority (FCTA) is yet to implement the new consolidated salary structure for the association.

    He urged the FCT Minister  to hasten implementation of the new structure to adequately cater for their welfare.

    “Our arrears must be paid before the end of January to douse tension of medical workers especially the resident doctors before end of January,” Akerele added.

     

  • Resident doctors urged to end strike

    Resident doctors urged to end strike

    The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr Peter Alabi, has appealed to resident doctors in the hospital to call off the strike they embarked upon two weeks ago.

    While speaking with journalists, the CMD explained that although government approved the new salary structure, the hospital was awaiting financial backing from the government in order to pay the aggrieved doctors.

    Alabi said that the new salary scheme was not captured in the 2014 budget and so the government was looking for a means of ‘cash-backing’ it.

    “Government has not released the money for the new salary scheme; the strike is uncalled for. So, I ask the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to call it off. NARD could confirm this from the Budget Office, Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health.

    “You have an approval from the government, but this has not been cash-backed. Some hospitals went on this same strike, but when it became obvious that the money was nowhere and no CMD was empowered to pay the money, they all ended the strike,” he said.

    He expressed dismay that, in spite of this explanation, UATH resident doctors remained adamant and were yet to call off the strike, which has entered its third week.

    “The strike, which is supposed to be a national action has, however, been localised and local action, will not help the situation,’’ he said.

    Recall that the National Association of Resident Doctors embarked on an indefinite nation-wide strike on April 18, to press home their demand that government should implement a new salary structure which it approved for them but was yet to pay them.

  • Resident doctors commence strike nationwide

    The National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria has announced an indefinite strike starting from October 1.

    President of the  association, Dr Jibril Abdulahi told reporters in Kano on Tuesday that the refusal of the federal government to meet their demands forced members  to take the painful decision.