TheCable

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has appealed to Nigerians to bear with them as regards the ongoing strike embarked on by its members.

The doctors had commenced an industrial strike on August 1 over “irregular payment of salaries”, among other issues.

Efforts by the house of representatives to reach a new agreement between the federal government and NARD, after a meeting on August 10, ended in a deadlock.

Thereafter, the federal government dragged the association before the National Industrial Court.

The association, in a statement signed by Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, NARD president, said it was aware of Nigerians suffering owing to the strike action, blaming it on the federal government’s “insincerity”.

“Good afternoon Nigerians, I want to deeply on behalf of all resident doctors in Nigeria thank you wholeheartedly for the show of love and empathy towards our cause,” the statement, dated August 16, reads.

“We are not unaware of the sufferings you all are going through due to government insincerity of purpose.

“It is one hundred and twenty days (120) today since we headed your call to call off our industrial action following government memorandum of action. It is five (5) years and eleven (11) months since we signed the memorandum of terms of settlement (MOTOS), yet Government has reneged.

“As you are aware, today, the Government sued us to the National Industrial Court for adjudication. As a law-abiding association, we were in court as summoned, but the ministry of Labour was absent, and only the ministry of Health was present representing the federal government. The case was adjourned to 15th September 2021.

“We once again appeal to Nigerians to bear with us, because a hungry doctor is a dangerous doctor. We are hopeful the Government shall do the needful as it pertains the welfare of our members, thus curbing the ugly incidence of brain drain. Together we can. God bless the beautiful people of Nigeria.”