28th July, 2023
By Obinna Unaeze
The Niger chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) says it fully supports the country’s National Association of Resident Doctors’ (NARDs) indefinite strike.
On Tuesday night, the national body of NARDs went on a nationwide indefinite strike to seek better welfare for members and an upgraded health-care system.
Dr. Yusuf Mohammed, Chairman of the Niger Chapter of the NMA, disclosed this in an interview in Minna on Friday.
“We are 100 per cent in support of the strike because the Federal Government refused to abide by the agreement reached with NARDs.
“They issued several warnings but government refused to listen, prompting the strike. The Niger state chapter of the NMA is solidly behind the strike by NARDs,“he said.
Mohammed said the demands of the doctors included, immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) and payment of the arrears of consequential adjustment of minimum to the omitted doctors.
Others are the immediate release of the circular on one- for-one replacement of the health workers and payment of skipping arrears, and upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) among others.
He appealed to the federal government to fulfill the demands of the doctors in order to boost their morale to put in their best to improve the health sector.
The chairman said that the association in the state had since joined their colleagues across the country in the strike.
NAN