Doctors Reveal Rising Attacks As NARD Warns Of Possible Nationwide Strike

(Medical Workers. Photoo by Vanguard News)

Medical workers have raised fresh concerns over growing challenges facing doctors across Nigeria, revealing troubling experiences that have pushed the association to demand urgent action.

In the last 11 months, at least 30 doctors have been attacked nationwide, according to the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), which has expressed worries about the security and well-being of medical professionals.

In an interview on a television programme on Monday, Dr. Kwarshak Kevin, the Second Vice-President of NARD, revealed this information, stating that the number corresponds to roughly three attacks on physicians on average each month.

He claimed that while doctors were tending to patients, the attacks were reportedly committed by patients' families and, in certain situations, security guards.

He called the situation intolerable, especially at a time when medical professionals are still migrating from the nation and doctors are working in challenging conditions.

In Nigeria, some thirty doctors have been attacked. That equates to roughly three doctors per month on average, he said.

Kevin urged the federal government to pass laws that would punish anyone who harms healthcare professionals while they are performing their jobs. In order to improve the safety of medical staff, he also advocated for the creation of a common rapid-response methodology.

He stated that NARD's proposed indefinite nationwide strike, which is set to start on August 10, is motivated by a number of outstanding issues, including the safety of doctors.

He claims that after discussing unsolved issues at its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on July 19, the association decided to issue the strike notice even though it is not keen to start industrial action.

House officers' delayed salary payments were one of the concerns brought up; some apparently had to wait seven or eight months to get paid.

According to Kevin, the delays can deter aspiring physicians from staying in the field or working in Nigeria.

It may surprise you to learn that house officers occasionally get paid on the 15th or 20th of the subsequent month. Many of them are paid two to three weeks after other employees receive their pay, he stated.

Concerns about the 18 months of unpaid professional allowance arrears owing to health workers were also raised by him.

He claims that even though the government changed the allowance system after the Vice President, the Minister of Health, and other stakeholders intervened, the accumulated arrears are still outstanding.

He questioned, "How can you owe a health worker eighteen months' worth of earned allowances and leave the matter unresolved?"

Kevin further claimed that after opposing the removal of meals for on-call physicians, some doctors at a teaching hospital in Lagos were intimidated.

He added that leaving the hospital to get food could have an impact on patient care and that doctors on call must stay on the hospital grounds in order to react quickly to crises.

Additionally, he said that certain physicians who took part in the demonstration were subsequently excluded from taking professional exams.

Kevin acknowledged certain federal government interventions in the health industry despite the worries, stating that it would be unfair to imply that nothing had been done.

He mentioned the emergency medical services program, which pays for medical care, prescription drugs, tests, and operations for emergency situations within the first 24 hours.

He also praised the government's permission of direct recruiting for senior physicians and its support of dialysis for individuals with chronic renal disease.

However, he stated that more work needed to be done to address unresolved welfare concerns, safeguard medical staff, and enhance healthcare infrastructure.

Kevin continued by saying that while NARD is still willing to communicate with the government, the problems that led to the planned August 10 strike must be resolved.