The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Abuja chapter Nigeria, has announced an “indefinite strike“, arising from the failure of the FCT administration to pay them their basic salaries for more than two months. Who can really save Nigeria from this paralysis? In Abia state, the doctors have been striking until they got tired. In short, when teachers in the state college of education went on strike, the government forgot them; that school has folded. But in the heat of this coronavirus, we hope the government pays these doctors. It is extremely offensive to owe doctors their salaries. I mean, it does not sound good. Sure, you may wish the doctors “hold” as the coronavirus passes. Yet, it is a hard call when you have not paid them for months!
As different countries of the world pool resources to combat the coronavirus crisis, doctors in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, on Tuesday announced they were proceeding on an “indefinite strike”.
The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Abuja chapter, announced their decision about an hour after the third case of Covid19 was confirmed in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos.
The doctors said they deliberated extensively on the health threat posed by the coronavirus scare, their work conditions, and patient care before arriving at the “difficult decision.”
In a statement signed by its president, Roland Aigbovo, the association said the mass action followed the failure of the FCT administration to pay them their basic salaries for more than two months.
Mr Aigbovo said their members have been thrown into financial distress due to the nonpayment of their salaries and despite repeated warnings and ultimatum, nothing has been done by authorities.
He said there has been salary irregularities and shortfalls since the migration to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System by the FCTA.
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