In a recent appearance on Channels Television's Sunrise Daily breakfast programme, NARD President, Innocent Orji, shed light on the current state of affairs concerning the association's industrial action. Despite a temporary halt in their planned protest, the ongoing strike remains in effect, according to Orji. He explained that the National Executive Council will reconvene in 72 hours to reassess the situation.
Orji emphasized that his fellow medical practitioners are facing substantial challenges and underscored the association's eight key demands. A prominent issue among these demands is the urgent requirement for the government to address the critical shortage of medical professionals caused by factors such as brain drain and attrition due to unfortunate circumstances like deaths.
The NARD President voiced his concerns about the profound impact this shortage has on both healthcare professionals and the general public. Insufficient staffing levels directly hinder the effectiveness of healthcare service delivery, leading to increased suffering among Nigerians seeking medical assistance. Orji asserted that the reality of their predicament cannot be denied, as no one has contradicted the association's claims.
Drawing attention to an existing governmental initiative, Orji questioned the lack of progress in implementing a guideline proposed by a ministerial committee earlier in the year. This guideline, if put into practice, could potentially alleviate the issue of brain drain by promptly recruiting doctors upon their completion of education. He expressed disappointment at the apparent absence of urgency from the government's side in this matter.
Orji further criticized the government for its perceived lack of dedication to addressing the association's demands. He highlighted the disheartening reality that the situation had not improved despite ongoing negotiations and discussions.
The decision to suspend the planned protest, as Orji clarified, came after a meeting between the NARD executive and the Senate, headed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. This meeting aimed to foster dialogue and potentially find common ground to address the ongoing crisis.
On July 25, 2023, the Association initiated a "total and indefinite strike action" to highlight pressing concerns, including the need for doctor replacements and a substantial 200% increase in members' salary structure. As the situation unfolds, the medical community and the nation at large await further developments and potential resolutions to this critical issue.
