Abuja, Nigeria – (African Boulevard News) – Nigeria’s doctors have staged a 5-day walk out to demand better pay and improved working conditions. The strike has affected public hospitals, leaving many patients stranded or unable to access medical care.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) said the strike was necessary after the government failed to implement an agreement on improved working conditions reached in 2020. The association also cited the poor state of infrastructure and inadequate medical supplies in hospitals across the country.
Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, President of the NARD, said in a statement: “We are tired of broken promises. Our members have been working in deplorable conditions for too long. We can no longer continue to work without basic amenities like water, electricity, and medical supplies.”
The strike has elicited mixed reactions from Nigerians, with some calling for the government to address the doctors’ grievances while others expressed frustration over the disruption of medical services.
A patient, Halima Abubakar, who was unable to access medical care, said, “This is not fair to us. We did not cause the strike, yet we are the ones suffering. The government should take responsibility and find a solution to this problem.”
Meanwhile, the government has condemned the strike, describing it as illegal and a breach of the doctors’ ethical duty to provide medical care.
Dr Osagie Ehanire, Nigeria’s Health Minister, said in a statement: “The timing of this strike is inappropriate, as Nigeria is still grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. We urge the doctors to return to work and allow us to address their concerns through dialogue.”
The doctors have, however, insisted that the strike will continue until their demands are met, including the payment of owed salaries, improved working conditions, and the provision of adequate medical supplies.
In conclusion, the strike by Nigeria’s doctors has prompted mixed reactions from Nigerians, with some calling for the government to address the doctors’ grievances while others expressed frustration over the disruption of medical services. The doctors have insisted that the strike will continue until their demands are met, including the payment of owed salaries, improved working conditions, and the provision of adequate medical supplies. It remains to be seen how the government will respond to the strike and whether a resolution can be reached to end the impasse.
