NARD: Resident doctors warn of nationwide industrial action

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, has warned of an imminent nationwide industrial disharmony over some unresolved issues.

NARD said the unresolved issues are threatening industrial peace and harmony in the health sector.

In a statement by its President, Emeka Innocent Orji, NARD appreciated the government for its efforts in resolving some of the issues raised but asked that attention be given to other pending issues.

NARD raised the alarm in the statement addressed to the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha; and the Department of State Services, DSS.

The body recalled issuing an ultimatum to the Federal Government six months ago on account of lingering unresolved issues affecting our members, including the irregularities in the new circular on the upward review of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), outstanding payment of the arrears of the new hazard allowance, nonpayment of the skipping arrears for 2014, 2015 and 2016, nonpayment of the consequential adjustment of the minimum wage to some of our members, and delay in the upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure(CONMESS).

Others are Salary arrears of our members in State Tertiary Health Institutions running into several months, including Abia, Imo, Ondo, Ekiti and Gombe States, and non-domestication of the Medical Residency Training Act (MRTA) in most states across the Federation