The North-Central caucus of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) on Friday demanded the immediate reinstatement of their colleagues sacked from the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Lokoja, Kogi.
The caucus leader, Dr Fanen Dogoh, at a news conference in Abuja, said the affected doctors were dismissed over allegations of unauthorised protest and union activities, describing the action as unjust.
Dogoh said the North-Central caucus was aware that several committees had been constituted to review the matter, all of which reportedly recommended the reinstatement of the affected doctors.
He noted, however, that in spite these recommendations and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Federal Government and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) during their last meeting, the government had failed to act.
According to him, the caucus was also concerned about unpaid allowances and arrears owed resident doctors across several federal institutions.
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He specifically cited resident doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, Benue State, who are reportedly owed 18 months’ arrears and other allowances, as well as their counterparts in Ilorin Kwara State.
Dogoh urged the Federal Government to urgently address all the issues raised during its engagement with NARD, warning that failure to do so could lead to a total shutdown of resident doctors’ services nationwide.
He said the association would commence a strike on Monday, Jan. 12, if the government failed to honour the MoU.
“Government must look into these issues and resolve them. These are some of the fundamental reasons why we are planning a strike.
“Another critical issue is payment at the entry point of doctors. Government must also respect the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which has remained stalled and requires urgent resumption,” he said.
NAN