By Asma’u Ahmad
The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has declared a seven-day warning strike over Federal Government’s failure to meet their demand.
Speaking to newsmen in Lagos, outgoing President of Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba chapter, Dr. Kenneth Uwaje, said the nationwide warning strike embarked upon by the association is to ensure better healthcare service and easy access to health by Nigerians.
Dr. Kenneth Uwaje, outgoing President of Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), made the assertion in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
It was reported that NARD had on January 17 directed its members to embark on a seven-day warning strike, after its meeting with the Federal Government ended in a deadlock.
According to him, there is need for Nigerians to understand the reasons for the strike.
“This strike would have been indefinite, but it is a warning strike because we are considering our patients. We are demanding for a revitalised residency training programme, implementation of the National Health Act 2014, and payment of arrears of our allowances, among other things.
“The National Health Act is all encompassing as it would ensure universal health coverage in the country, and all Nigerians will be well catered for. As a doctor, when I am well equipped with training and remuneration, I will deliver well. All this will redeem our healthcare system. The strike is basically to make the government do the needful and ensure that health of Nigerians is guaranteed,” Uwaje said.
Also, incoming ARD President of the hospital, Dr Bolanle Ajayi, urged Nigerians to join NARD in its quest to reform the nation’s health sector.
Dr. Ajayi also urged the Federal Government to adhere to its part of the agreement to prevent incessant strike in the health sector.
Newsmen report that health services at the hospital, Yaba, were still ongoing, in spite of the warning strike embarked upon by the hospital’s resident doctors.
It was also reported that the doctors had complied with NARD directive to embark on a seven-day warning strike.
The Acting Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Richard Adebayo, said that work was ongoing at the hospital.
“The strike has not affected healthcare delivery and the consultants available have been attending to patients,’’ Adebayo said.
