By John Ikani
The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has extended the two-week ultimatum issued to the Federal Government three weeks ago by another two weeks.
This was the decision reached during the scheduled extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, which lasted Saturday night.
The meeting resolved to give the Federal Government more time to respond to the doctors’ demands.
The resident doctors had, on July 30, 2022, issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to implement all the agreements it had with the association or it would embark on an indefinite strike.
NARD’s demands include the payment of the newly-reviewed Medical Residency Training Fund; the immediate implementation and payment of the new hazard allowance and arrears among several others.
Issues in the sector have led to what many have referred to as the Brain Drain which has led to many highly trained Nigerian Doctors leaving for better conditions of service, welfare and availability of modern equipments to save lives which is the main part of the Hippocratic oath all Doctors take on induction.
The days ahead will show what lies in stock for the health Sector whether it is going to be another round of Industrial Action or harmony, this according to observers depends on the steps to be taken by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
