RESIDENT doctors, under the aegis of Nigerian Association of Residents (NARD), have began an indefinite strike to press home their demands, following the expiration of their 30-day ultimatum.
President of NARD, Mohammad Suleiman, who disclosed this in a statement on the association’s X account on Saturday, November 1, said the action become inevitable after repeated Federal Government failure to honour its promises and implement the agreements reached with it after several rounds of dialogue, appeals and ultimatums.
According to him: “We wish to address you at this critical time as we embark on a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike, a decision that did not come lightly, nor was it ever our desire.
“We are fully aware of the pains and inconveniences that accompany any disruption in healthcare services, and we deeply regret the situation.
“Our demands are not selfish, neither are they politically-motivated; they are genuine, germane and patriotic, centred on the survival of the Nigerian health system and the well-being of every citizen who depends on it.
“We fight not for personal gain, but for the creation of a system that allows doctors to deliver safe, effective and compassionate care to patients in an environment that supports their mental and physical well-being.
“A resident doctor who is overworked, underpaid and mentally exhausted cannot offer optimal care to the patient who needs them most.”
He added: “Our demands include issues of excessive workload, fair remuneration, payment of arrears, improvement of working conditions, adequate staffing and the provision of essential medical infrastructure, all of which directly impact the quality of healthcare delivered to Nigerians.
“A nation’s health system can only be as strong as the hands that sustain it. If the doctors are broken, under-motivated or forced to seek survival abroad, the patients suffer most.
“This is why we have taken this painful stand to secure the future of Nigerian healthcare for every man, woman and child who deserves quality care here at home.
“We, therefore, call on all Nigerians, our patients, civil society groups, labour unions, religious and traditional leaders and every citizen of conscience,– to stand with us. Add your voices to ours in appealing to the Federal Government to do the right thing.
“This is not a fight between resident doctors and the government; it is a struggle for a functional, just and humane healthcare system, one where your doctor can attend to you with a clear mind, a motivated spirit and access to the tools needed to save lives.
“Together, we can rebuild a system that values both the carer and the cared-for. We appeal to you to weigh in and urge the government to address our demands urgently, so that hospitals can reopen, doctors can return to their duty posts and Nigerians can once again access the care they deserve.
“We always stand with you, and now we ask you to stand with us in solidarity and service to humanity.”
Recall that NARD had a week ago announced a plan to commence an indefinite strike on Saturday, November 1.
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