By Our Reporter
The National Association of Resident Doctors has given the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to resolve outstanding welfare and professional issues affecting its members, warning that failure to act could lead to industrial action.
The decision was contained in resolutions reached at the association’s 46th Annual General Meeting held in Calabar on Sunday.
The NARD National President, Dr Ogar Emmanuel Idoko, read the resolutions at the meeting.
The doctors expressed concern over what they described as the slow implementation of agreements reached with the Federal Government, saying prolonged delays had become unacceptable.
They demanded immediate action on issues relating to remuneration, career progression, professional allowances, excessive workload, manpower shortages and the general welfare of resident doctors.
NARD specifically called for the implementation of existing agreements with the government, particularly those concerning improved conditions of service and professional development.
The association also urged the government to conclude the review of doctors’ remuneration and professional salary structures, arguing that the existing framework no longer reflected prevailing economic realities.
It demanded appropriate compensation for doctors working beyond their normal responsibilities due to manpower shortages in hospitals.
NARD called for standardised templates for compensating excess workload, as well as reliable data to support payments to doctors performing additional duties.
The association also expressed concern over attacks on health workers and called for the full implementation of policies and anti-assault measures designed to protect medical personnel in hospitals.
On the continued migration of doctors and other health professionals from Nigeria, NARD said the trend had worsened manpower shortages and increased the workload of doctors who remain in the country.
It therefore urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to urgently address the factors contributing to the migration of medical professionals.
The association further called on state governments to prioritise the welfare of doctors and other health workers employed by their institutions and ensure the implementation of relevant welfare policies.
It demanded improved infrastructure, adequate medical equipment and better working conditions in health facilities to enhance patient safety and healthcare delivery.
NARD also urged the National Assembly to strengthen budgetary allocations to the health sector, stressing that adequate funding was necessary to address the challenges confronting healthcare delivery.
The association demanded the prompt payment of salaries and other outstanding entitlements owed to house officers and called for their inclusion in relevant welfare arrangements.
On electronic clocking systems in hospitals, NARD said it was not opposed to their deployment, provided they were properly implemented and used to improve data management rather than punish medical personnel.
The doctors said several agreements and commitments reached with the Federal Government remained unresolved despite repeated meetings and assurances.
NARD consequently urged the government to use the two-week window to address the outstanding issues and avert a breakdown of industrial harmony in the health sector.
The association said resolving the disputes would improve doctors’ welfare, reduce burnout and ultimately enhance the quality of healthcare available to Nigerians.
At the meeting, NARD also elected new national officers, with Idoko emerging as national president alongside other members of the National Executive Council.
The association urged the new leadership to pursue the implementation of the resolutions and sustain engagement with the government towards improving conditions of service for resident doctors.