Coalition of Healthcare Professionals in Tertiary Institutions says all medical centres under the Federal Ministry of Education remain operational despite the National Association of Resident Doctors’ strike.
Health workers across Nigeria’s universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education have distanced themselves from the ongoing nationwide strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
Operating under the Coalition of Healthcare Professionals in Tertiary Education Institutions in Nigeria, the workers said all medical facilities under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Education remain fully functional.
The coalition, comprising doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and laboratory scientists, emphasized that their priority remains the continuous care of patients in their facilities.
The industrial action by NARD, which began at midnight on Saturday, has affected 91 healthcare institutions nationwide. The doctors are protesting unpaid arrears, delayed allowances, and welfare concerns.
However, the National Chairman of the coalition, Musa Shehu, told journalists that tertiary institution medical workers would not join the strike. “We remain committed to patient care and will continue to provide uninterrupted services,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, led by Dr. Iziaq Salako, assured that the government was addressing the doctors’ concerns. The ministry said ₦21.3 billion had been released for the payment of arrears, while another ₦11.9 billion would be disbursed within 72 hours to cover additional allowances.
The government also disclosed ongoing recruitment of over 15,000 healthcare professionals to address the effects of brain drain and ensure adequate staffing across hospitals.
According to Salako, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to ensuring industrial harmony and strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system.
Post a Comment