26th July, 2023
By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
The Association of Resident Doctors, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (ARD-UITH), has joined their counterparts nationwide by declaring an indefinite strike.
Dr Mubarak Ijaiya, the President of ARD-UITH branch, confirmed this on Wednesday in Ilorin.
He explained that the action was in compliance with instructions from the national secretariat of the association.
According to him, the industrial action is caused by the disagreement between the association and the Federal Government on salary and welfare matters.
Ijaiya said that the association is demanding that the government should address all its six-point demands.
The requests included the prompt payment of the reviewed Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) for the year 2023, as stipulated in the approved 2023 budget, in accordance with numerous agreements established with the government, according to the president.
He noted that the deal called for the government to pay all outstanding arrears owing to members, including the hazard allowance and the skipping arrears from 2014 to 2016.
Ijaiya bemoaned the enormous low manpower shortfall throughout teaching hospitals, stating that the standards on one-for-one clinical staff replacement must be implemented.
He requested the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to stop degrading membership certificates provided by West African Postgraduate Medical and Surgical Colleges.
The ARD-UITH president bemoaned the increase in transport costs for members, claiming that they spend about N100,000 per month on commuting to work.
According to him, the economic situation has grown unpleasant for members, and he advises the government at all levels to prioritise the health sector.
NAN