Members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD have shrugged off Federal Government’s last minute attempt to intervene, and have moved on with its nationwide strike.
The federal government led by Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, had engaged the resident doctors, after which it expressed optimism that the strike action would be shelved.
But the resident doctors in a message posted on its official Twitter handle on Thursday, assured Nigerians that their action was not meant to hurt them.
“Nigerians must understand that we love them and the strike is not intended to hurt them but to challenge the Nigerian government @MBuhari @Fmohnigeria @LabourMinNG whose responsibilities amongst others is to care for her citizens and labour force to do the needful,” the message read.
The union’s President, Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, also confirmed to Channels TV that the strike had commenced by 8am Thursday.
The doctors strike is coming on the heels of President Muhammadu Buhari’s medical trip to London, UK.
