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General News of Monday, 2 August 2021

Source: www.sunnewsonline.com

Anxiety as doctors begin nationwide strike

A doctor A doctor

Anxiety has gripped patients and their families as doctors in public hospitals under the aegis of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) begin a nationwide strike today.

NARD’s industrial action comes at the same time consultants in public hospitals under the umbrella of the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) have given the notice to withdraw their services nationwide as from August 16 if their complaints are not addressed. 

The two unions said the decision to down tools was in protest over poor working conditions, unpaid alarm arrears and entitlements, and other issues bordering on poor remuneration, welfare and inequalities. 

Both NARD and MDCAN  said they were, however, committed to the smooth running of the country’s health care sector, but on the condition that their welfare is taken care of.

NARD President, Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, in a statement, said the decision to launch the strike was taken at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Umuahia, Abia State, at the weekend. 

On its part, MDCAN President, Prof. Ken Ozoilo, said the decision to down tools was taken in Jos, recently, at the end of an emergency NEC meeting.

The strike would throw the healthcare sector into crisis with patients as worse hit. Daily Sun learnt that some patients on admission in public hospitals yesterday moved out to private hospitals to continue treatment, a decision that comes with higher bills. Like in previous strikes by doctors in public service, private health clinics are expected to record bumper harvest from this month’s industrial disharmony in the public health care system. But there is the anxiety of more avoidable deaths, especially in emergency situations, given the fewer number of private healthcare facilities and the capacity of personnel to absorb thousands of patients in need of treatment across the country.