The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has raised concerns about the persistent threat of Lassa Fever in the country.
This was expressed in a communiqué issued at the end of its 38th Ordinary General Meeting (OGM), held at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria between May 6 to 11, 2018.
According to the communiqué jointly signed by its President, Dr. Ugochukwu Chinaka, Secretary General, Dr. Osinachukwu V. Nnadi and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Ugochukwu Eze, NARD also rejected pay parity between Doctors and Allied Professionals as this would erode relativity and distort emolument hierarchy in the Health sector.
“The consequence would not be good for the Health sector. Relativity is sacrosanct,” it explained.
The group raised concerns about the continuous threat posed by Lassa fever and other infectious diseases in parts of the Country with its associated risk and death of Health workers.
NARD still called on Government to setup Regional Infectious disease centers of Excellence across the country to ease the pressure at ISTH, Irrua and to stem the needless loss of lives to Lassa fever.
NARD appreciates the recent scale of surveillance at the Country’s land borders and airports. This has helped curb the threat of Ebola Virus, regulate and report entry of suspected infectious individuals and prevent the spread of the deadly disease in Nigeria.
“The recent Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and response by the Federal Government of Nigeria,” it noted.
It enjoins all Healthcare workers at all times to imbibe Universal Health precautions and best hygiene practices such as regular handwashing and maintaining personal and environmental cleanliness.
“NARD again demands Comprehensive Life Insurance for all Healthcare Workers in Nigeria.
NARD reiterates that security is a right of all Nigerians and demands Government to provide Security for all irrespective of location,” it stated.
NARD also frowned at the non payment of outstanding salaries to its members at various health centres across the country.
“NARD frowns at the fact that salaries of our Members at various Federal Health Institutions are still being withheld by earlier mentioned Hospital Management and call on all responsible to urgently pay all outstanding Salaries to our diligent and hardworking Members,” it stated.
It explained that the ongoing advocacy with the Board of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) is welcomed, but NARD wants Government to impress on the JUTH Board and Management to reinstate all unjustly sacked Resident Doctors in JUTH immediately.
Delegates resolved to extend the ultimatum by 21 days, starting from Monday 14th May 2018. This extension is to avail Government time to reinstate our sacked Members in JUTH with full benefits and also meet outstanding agreement contained in the above stated MOTOS, after which NARD may not guarantee industrial Harmony.
