Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole has directed Chief Medical Directors/ Medical Directors (CMDs/MDs) of Federal Hospitals to immediately engage the services of Locum Doctors to argument the services of Consultants, NYSC Doctors and Doctors on Internship pending the resolution of the on-going strike action by the Resident Doctors.
Resident Doctors across the country had commenced a nationwide strike since September 4.
This directive was contained in a circular Ref. No. C. 3132/Vol. V/116, of 5th September, 2017, addressed to all CMDs/MDs of Federal Tertiary Health Institutions across the country.
A statement by the Health Ministry’s Director of Media and Public Relations, Boade Akinola, quoted the minister to have said the action was in an attempt to reduce the increased workload of Consultants, NYSC Doctors and House officers thereby preventing reduction in quality of service delivery to patients.
It would be recall that the Minister had earlier approved the use of Armed forces, Police and Federal Road Safety Health Facilities in ensuring continuous provision of health care services in the hospitals.
The doctors under the umbrella body of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) are demanding for the resolution of persistent shortfalls and unpaid arrears of salaries earned in both federal and state tertiary health institutions.
Other issues are the enrolment of resident doctors into the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) since 2003, and non-implementation of adjusted House Officers’ Entry grade level equivalent since 2014.
They are also asking for the resolution of issues around their stagnation of promotion and non-promotion of members who have met requisite criteria despite all collective bargaining agreements and circulars.
