The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) 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 trigger industrial action.
The ultimatum was contained in resolutions adopted at the association’s 46th Annual General Meeting in Calabar, Cross River State, on Sunday, where Dr Emmanuel Idoko emerged as the new NARD president alongside other newly elected members of the National Executive Council.
The resident doctors expressed concern over delays in implementing agreements reached with the government, saying the prolonged failure to resolve issues relating to remuneration, career progression, professional allowances, workload, and manpower shortages had become unacceptable.
According to Idoko, the association expected 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 demanded the immediate implementation of previous agreements, particularly those relating to improved conditions of service and professional development.
It also called for the conclusion of the review of existing remuneration and salary structures for doctors, arguing that the current framework no longer adequately reflected prevailing economic realities.
NARD further demanded compensation for resident doctors handling workloads beyond their normal responsibilities because of manpower shortages in hospitals.
It called for standardised templates for calculating excess-workload compensation and reliable data to support payments to doctors performing additional duties.
The association also raised concerns over attacks on healthcare workers, urging the government to fully implement existing policies and anti-assault measures to protect doctors and other medical personnel in hospitals.
On the continued migration of doctors and other health professionals, NARD said the trend had aggravated manpower shortages and increased the workload of those remaining in the country.
It urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to urgently address the factors driving medical professionals’ migration.
The association also called on state governments to prioritise the welfare of doctors and other health workers employed by their institutions and implement relevant welfare policies.
It demanded improved infrastructure, adequate medical equipment and better working conditions in health facilities, saying these were essential to patient safety and effective healthcare delivery.
NARD also appealed to the National Assembly to strengthen budgetary allocations to the health sector, stressing that adequate funding was critical to addressing persistent challenges in healthcare.
The association demanded the prompt payment of outstanding salaries and other entitlements owed to house officers and their inclusion in relevant welfare arrangements.
On electronic clocking systems in hospitals, NARD said it did not oppose their deployment but insisted they be properly implemented and used to improve attendance and data management, rather than as a punitive measure against medical personnel.
The doctors said several agreements and commitments reached with the Federal Government had remained unresolved despite repeated meetings and assurances.
They therefore urged the government to utilise the two-week ultimatum to resolve the outstanding matters, warning that failure to do so could jeopardise industrial harmony in the health sector.
According to the association, addressing the disputes would improve doctors’ welfare, reduce burnout and ultimately enhance the quality of healthcare available to Nigerians.
The association charged the new leadership with implementing the resolutions and sustaining engagement with the government to improve conditions of service for resident doctors.