Resident Doctors Threaten Nationwide Mass Protests, Picketing

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has threatened to embark on nationwide mass protests and picketing of the Federal Ministry of Health, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation as well as all federal and state tertiary health institutions with effect from Wednesday,  August 9, 2023.

A letter addressed to the permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Health signed by NARD president, Dr. Emeka Orji and  general secretary, Dr. Chikezie Kelechi said the planned mass protest is to press home their demands which they said had been largely neglected by the Ministry of Health and the federal government.

“We are pained that rather than make genuine and concerted efforts to resolve the challenges that led to the industrial action despite repeated ultimatums, our  parent ministry and the federal government have chosen to demonise Nigerian  resident doctors instead after all their sacrifices and patriotism.

“We therefore resolved that it is time the whole world hears our side of the  story, the decay and corruption in the health sector as well as the neglect  the public health institutions have suffered all these years that led to repeated  industrial actions.

“We believe that the government still has time to genuinely address the issues  at stake before Wednesday, 9th August 2023, or leave us with no other option.

Accept the assurances of our esteemed regards as always,” they said.