How resident doctors’ warning strike affected patients

By Doyin Ojosipe.

The three days warning strike by resident doctors came to an end yesterday, as the doctors resumed at their respective places of duty Thursday.

This was confirmed by the National President, National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD), Dr. Jibril Abdullahi who was optimistic about implementation of the Federal government agreement to resolve the issue within the next 25 days.

He however noted that should Federal government fail to fulfill its promise, Resident doctors would have no choice but to go on an indefinite strike by July. In his words “NARD is hereby giving the government of Nigeria a grace period of up to the end of June to resolve these issues.”

Abdullahi also disclosed that meeting has been fixed between it and stakeholders; he said the outcome of the meeting will decide whether to go an indefinite strike or to continue working.

“It is not our desire to go on strike; all we want is progress,” he added. Resident doctors have gone on a three day warning strike, to press home their demands for better treatments and implementations of promises made by the Federal Government, as regards payment of outstanding salaries as well as organize developmental course programs for staff.

The strike which held three days ago was not fully observed by all resident doctors as only the federal government workers were affected.

Peoples Daily gathered that it was not observed in Plateau state as patients of the Jos recent bomb blast are yet to recover from severe injuries sustained which presently begs for the doctors attention.

The General Hospital at Wuse, Abuja also confirmed not observing the strike as they were only under the Federal Capital Territory which applies to other hospitals in the same category.

Communication officer at the National Hospital, Dr Haastrup Olutayo confirmed that though the resident doctors went on strike, consultants and other health workers were available to attend to patients while noting that the absence of the resident doctors only slowed the pace of service delivery.