Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has advised resident doctors in Abuja against resorting to threats of embarking on industrial action.
Wike expressed his stance on not compensating striking doctors as a minister and his willingness to address the matter in a legal context.
In a direct message to the resident doctors, Wike emphasized that the prospect of financial gain arises when they decide to go on strike.
“Provide your recommendations, and we will examine what is feasible and what isn’t. There’s no need to wield the strike threat, as I’m not in favor of it. When a strike occurs, it results in cost savings, and even if the strike is called off, payment will be determined in a court of law,” Wike stated.
He underscored his preference for practical solutions over mere promises, asserting, “It’s not about rhetoric but the tangible realities on the ground; I place no faith in theoretical propositions.”
Lately, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has intermittently engaged in industrial actions due to unmet demands from the Federal Government.
The doctors’ demands encompass the immediate disbursement of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), concrete steps towards the upward revision of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), and the settlement of salary arrears dating back to 2015.
They also call for the prompt recruitment of clinical staff in healthcare institutions and the removal of bureaucratic impediments hindering the immediate replacement of departing doctors and nurses.
Additionally, the doctors seek an expeditious reassessment of hazard allowances by all state governments and private tertiary health facilities where any form of residency training is conducted.
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