The Nigerian Association of Medical Doctors (NARD) has extended the two-week ultimatum earlier issued to the government over the plight of members in state and federal government establishments across the country.
The body issued the ultimatum at the end of its national executive council meeting held in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.
It said the action was necessary to give the federal and state governments more time to resolve the matter.
NARD had earlier issued a two weeks ultimatum in July at the end of its NEC meeting held in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
While reading the communique on their new position, NARD President, Dr. Dare Godiya Ishaya flanked by other members of the executive, bemoaned the slow pace encountered in the payment of the 2020 Medical Residency Training Funds (MRTF) for its members who were hitherto omitted.
Ishaya also decried the delay in the implementation and payment of the newly upgraded Hazard Allowance since its circularisation by the Federal Government in December 2021.
According to him, the worsening spate of brain drain in the health care system has led to a perpetual shortage of manpower with attendant burnout.
“This deplorable situation has led to the shutdown of Federal Medical Center, Owo on the 19th of August 2022 as a consequence of the immense manpower shortage”, he noted.
Dr. Ishaya said it was saddening that despite the two weeks ultimatum, the conditions of its members in state government hospitals of Abia, Ekiti, Imo, and Ondo have remained unchanged, where members are owed 24, 13, 10, and 5 months salary arrears respectively.
While calling on all well-meaning Nigerians to intervene in their “terrible and deplorable conditions” in the affected hospitals, the NARD president said they have resolved to further extend the ultimatum by another two weeks.
“This is after observing the Federal Government’s effort and as a show of goodwill to give adequate time to substantiate their efforts with results to avert industrial disharmony”, he said.
