Resident doctors in Kaduna begin indefinite strike over ‘unresolved demands’

Members of the Kaduna chapter of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) have commenced an indefinite strike over the failure of the state government to attend to their demands.

NAN reports that Mahmood Rufai, chairman of the association in Kaduna, said all doctors have been directed to hand over and discharge patients in rural and general hospitals within 24 hours.

On July 26, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) started an indefinite strike over the failure of the government to implement the demands of its members.

Rufai said the association had given the government a one-week ultimatum to meet all the demands of its members.

He said the one-week final notice started on July 28, adding that complete medical services were rendered during the period.

“The association as an affiliate member of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) held a virtual emergency congress on Friday to scrutinise the attitude of the state government following the two weeks ultimatum,” he said.

“The ultimatum was given to the government on March 6, to discuss lingering challenges affecting the welfare of its members.

“For the purpose of emphasis, failure of the government to address the above-stated challenges before the timeline of August 4, necessitates the congress to embark on an indefinite strike.”

Part of the demands of the association includes full implementation of the new federal government consolidated medical salary structure (CONMESS).

Other demands are non-implementation of the reviewed medical residency training act (MRTA), non-payment of the medical residency training fund (MRTF) for several years, and failure to recruit more staff to substitute those who left some secondary health facilities in the state.

Speaking on the current economic impact on the salary structure, Rufai said doctors were still placed on 59 percent of the reviewed 2009 CONMESS which was implemented in 2014.

“The congress observed that the insinuation for the full implementation of the 2009 CONMESS has changed following the removal of fuel subsidy, increase in fuel price and cost of living, an upward review of the CONMESS is necessary,” he added.

“Unfortunately, doctors in these facilities continue to suffer brain drain and burn out effect due to severe manpower shortage occasioned by the unwillingness of other doctors to come over due to poor pay and preference to state tertiary health institutions and others.

“The congress demands immediate release of a circular for the recruitment of new staff to curtail the shortage of manpower in the state facilities.

“We call on the state government to prioritise the provision of adequate medical diagnostic equipment, enhance security in the facilities and improve accommodations to members.

“We also demand immediate implementation of the medical residency training act (MRTA) and payment of the medical residency training fund (MRTF).

“We also demand the immediate implementation of the new hazard allowance with arrears.”