Doctors list terms to end strike, demand N8b
From Eno-Abasi Sunday, (Calabar) and Chukwuma Muanya, (Lagos)
PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo was on Wednesday urged to wade into the on-going resident doctors' strike and meet their demands.
The doctors under the aegis of the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD), wanted the release of N8 billion as part of the conditions to be met before they could call off the strike.
At a press conference on the doctors' salary arrears in Lagos, the National President of the association, Dr. Jerry Oguzie, said only Obasanjo could resolve the issue.
Oguzie said: "Only Obasanjo can help us. The President must come into this matter now and give us a sense of belonging to restore our hope in the project called Nigeria.
"We have held several consultations with the Health Minister, Professor Eyitayo Lambo, but his hands are tied. He has tried his best. The bulk lies on the table of the President.
"The government must take the blame for allowing this matter to degenerate to this extent. But, we hope the government will in the next couple of days release the sum of N8 billion to solve this problem once and for all".
He said that the strike was not based on the non-payment of allowance, which had accrued before this government came in 1999, but on the non-payment of the doctors' monthly salaries provided for in the 2004 budget.
Other conditions he gave in order to end the strike were payment of 100 per cent of duly earned monthly salaries; payment of the arrears of salaries occasioned by the shortfall; implementation of the 22 per cent increment in basic salaries in places like the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Imo State University Teaching Hospital, among others; and payment of the arrears of the 22 per cent increment in basic salaries.
Other demands included payment of professional examinations and courses fees; payment of teaching allowance and other allowances; payment of leave grants and yearly increments; and proper promotion of members.
The National Public Relations Officer of NARD, Dr. Ofem Enang, while addressing reporters in Calabar, Cross River State, queried "Why have we been receiving half salaries monthly and nobody is bold enough to give explanations to that effect?
"This is simply because those at the helm of affairs in this country do not visit hospitals in Nigeria but fly overseas to treat themselves and their families.
"We have given the Federal Government time to defray the backlog of arrears or give reasons for the shortfall in salaries but it was insensitive when we issue an ultimatum for it to meet our demands. We were never called for negotiations until the ultimatum expires. It is this insensitivity of government that pains us more".
The medical practitioner deplored the poor handling of the whole issue by government, a situation, he said, had led to avoidable deaths.
He particularly frowned at the treatment given to issues that affect the ordinary Nigerians.
His words: "When it was time to source for money to complete the National Stadium in Abuja, government went the extra mile and the stadium was completed. But they never manage to get money when the matter affects the ordinary Nigerians.
"The ministers, members of the National Assembly and other top government officials are never owed salaries or paid half salaries, why is it so or are they not Nigerians?"
On the Federal Government's explanations that all their grievances have been addressed in the 2005 budget, Enang said: "In the last five years, no budget has been passed earlier than April and we are not ready to wait that long.
"So the same way government sourced for money to give to Ghana and Sao Tome, let it also source for it to pay health workers in the country. The best they can do now is to release funds into our account because we cannot wait for the budget to be passed".
On the compliance with the strike by doctors nation-wide, he said: "It is very effective. However, in a place like the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), the moment the national strike is over, the local one will begin until local issues that have been on the burner are sorted out".
|
