The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has called on the federal government to setup regional infectious disease centers across the country to stem the needless loss of lives to Lassa fever.
The association made the call in a communiqué issued yesterday after its 38th Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) and scientific conference in Zaria, Kaduna State.
The theme of the conference was “Healthcare delivery in the face of rising Insecurity:The role of doctors, the responsibilities of the government”.
The resident doctors in the communiqué signed by the President, Dr. Ugochukwu Chinaka, Secretary General Dr. Osinachukwu V. Nnadi , and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Ugochukwu Eze said doing so would also ease the pressure on Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital.
They called on President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the Residency Training Program Act in order to resolve all contentious issues affecting the training of Resident Doctors in Nigeria.
The association also extended the ultimatum it gave the federal government, and Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) to reinstate all unjustly sacked Resident Doctors in JUTH by 21 days, starting from yesterday.
It had earlier issued a 30-day ultimatum which elapsed 13 days ago. The association said the extension is to give government time to reinstate sacked members in JUTH with full benefits and to also meet outstanding agreements after which it may not guarantee industrial harmony.
NARD said it aligned with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on the ongoing Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) strike and told government that any adjustment in Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) should be matched with corresponding adjustment of Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
In addition NARD said it rejects pay parity between doctors and Allied Professionals as this would erode relativity and distort emolument hierarchy in the health sector.
While decrying assault on its members by JOHESU, the resident doctors called on the federal government and Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) to ensure the security of doctors and all staff working in hospitals across the country during the JOHESU strike and beyond.
The association also enjoined the Osun State government to urgently look into the welfare of its members at Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital Osogbo and resolve all lingering issues affecting its members.
NARD also called on the federal government to urgently take over tertiary healthcare from state governments.
The association said doing so will guarantee specialist healthcare delivery to the Nigerian populace as well as protect the welfare of its members in State University Teaching Hospitals (SUTHS).
“NARD has unfortunately noted that state governments across the country have repeatedly demonstrated inability to manage tertiary healthcare,” the association said in the communique.
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