Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors has insisted on the continuation of its ongoing strike action till its demands are met by the federal and state governments.
This was disclosed in a communiqué issued and signed by its President, Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi on Thursday at the end of its virtual National Executive Council meeting.
According to the communique, NARD said, “The strike will last until the federal and state governments meet our demands.
“We want to use this medium to reiterate our commitment to the smooth running of all tertiary institutions in the country, and the provision of specialised healthcare to all Nigerians.
“However, we need to first of all care for our own health and welfare in order to give standard care to our patients, which is in line with the physician’s oath,” the communiqué reads.
NARD claimed the NEC had observed that in spite of efforts by the National Officers Committee to ensure that the Federal Government did the needful to prevent the strike, it failed to do so.
It buttressed that NARD had given two months ultimatum before going on the strike action.
It also expressed displeasure on how the government was passing “spurious” information to the public.
The resident doctors also faulted the government for not holding a reconciliatory meeting at the expiration of the ultimatum on March 31.
“Without prejudice to labour laws and other extant laws of the land, the industrial action had already begun before the MOA was signed, and as such, not tenable”, NARD said.