Communique Issued at the End of the OGM of the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria

The National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD) held her ordinary general meeting (OGM) in Jos plateau state from the 30th of May to the 5th of June 2016

The opening ceremony held on wednesday 1st june at Eliel event centre under the distinguished chairmanship of Hon. Barr. Istifanus Gyang, ably represented by Barr. Simon Jok, “The theme was emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases: sustaining preparedness in combating epidemics” by Prof Zokah A.I

Other dignitaries at the occasion were, The governor of plateau state Rt. Hon Simon Bako Lalong ably represented by Dr. Kuden Deyin Kamshak, Hon Commissioner for health plateau state, His majesty Da Dr Jacob Gyang Buba (CON) Gbong Gwom jos and chairman plateaus state council of chiefs and emirs, represented by HRH Da Sir christopher mancha, the gwom rwei of zawan, Dr Bupwatda Pokop, NMA Chairman plateau state.

Business session of the event took place on saturday 4th to sunday 5th june 2016 at the conference hall of crest hotels jos.

After extensive and fruitful deliberations, the following observations were made:

That even after several months of engagements with the government and stakeholders, coupled with a 5 day warning strike between 11th to 15th May 2016 at the expiration of a 35-day ultimatum, the demands of the association were yet to be met. These demands include:

i. Nonpayment of monthly salaries to our members in state university teaching hospitals (SUTHS), with the months of non-payment ranging from 4 to 10months

ii. Payment of percentages/ fractions of monthly salaries to most our members nationwide despite the availablity of relevant documents and policies to facilitate full payment.

iii. That our members in the university college hosptial (UCH) Ibadan, and the federal medical center (FMC) Owerri, are yet to get their December salaries six months after they were due.

iv. That about 30 of our members in university of Nigeria teaching Hospital (UNTH) Ituku Ozalla Enugu state are yet to get relativity arrears

v. That our members are yet to be captured on the IPPIS platform even after several assurances

vi. That House Officers entry step is yet to be effected

i. Unfair sack/ victimization of members

ii. Non funding of residency training in 2016

iii. That the RTP committee to restructure the programme guideline has been inaugurated and set to start action

i. That due to failure of Government to address the above demands, NARD has declared a total and indefinite strike action to be executed as follows;

a) Affected centers to start ton Thursday 9th June 2016, 8:00am

b) Solidarity Nationawide (one day strike) Wednesday 15th June 2016, if our demands are not met by 12midnight Tuesday 14th June 2016

c) Nationwide indefinite strike action on Monday 20th June 2016, if our demands are not met by 12mid night sunday 19th June 2016

ii. The following centers are exempted from the initial center based strike action: ATBUTH Bauchi, FMC Abeokuta, FMC Azare, FMC Birnin Kudu, FMC Keffi, FMC Katsina, FMC Nguru, FMC Yola, FNPH Calabar, FNPH Enugu, FNPH Maiduguri, FNPH Yaba, NHA Abuja, NOHD Kano, NOH Enugu, OAUTH Ife, UDUTH Sokoto, UMTH Maiduguri

iii. We commend the chief medical directors of the hospitals listed above for their committment to promptly implement federal governments directives and to maintain industrial harmony in their various centres

NARD has had to take this painful decision in order to highlight the sorry plight of our ever hardworking members who have had to endure long periods of deprivation and disenfranchisment.

We assure the federal government ably led by president mohammed Buhari that we will continue to be open to discussions and ready to partner with his administration to ensure effective health care service delivery to Nigerians

This action has been precipitated sequel to the exhaustion of all available means of dialogue, advocacy and appeals

We appeal to Nigerians to bear with us as we seek definitive solutions to these perennial problems

We appreciate the executive governor of plateau state Rt Hon simon Bako Lalong, the chief medical director of the jos university teaching hospital prof Edward Banwat, the President and congress of ARD JUTH, and the entire delegates of NARD for their support and encouragements

We wish the entrie distinguished delegates journey mercies to their respective destinations

Long Live NARD, Long live federal republic of Nigeria

Signed: Dr Muhammad Askira President

Dr Ibrahim Kuburi Secretary General