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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Health & Science

Nigerian Doctors Threaten Nationwide Strike Over FCT Queries

From ThisDay · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Nigeria's resident doctors' association (NARD) threatened a nationwide strike if the FCT Administration does not withdraw queries issued to its executive council members.
  • NARD accused FCT authorities of victimizing doctors for communicating the national body's planned industrial action.
  • The association urged the FCT Minister to intervene and called for the immediate withdrawal of queries, warning of protests and a national strike if ignored.

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a stern warning to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration, threatening a nationwide industrial action if queries issued to members of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), FCT chapter, are not withdrawn.

NARD, in a joint statement by its President, Secretary-General, and Publicity Secretary, accused FCT authorities of victimizing the doctors. These doctors were reportedly queried after notifying authorities of a planned nationwide industrial action set to begin on August 10.

The association deemed the queries "unwarranted and unacceptable victimisation," asserting that the affected doctors were merely performing their duties as elected representatives. They called for urgent intervention from the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to direct the FCT Civil Service Commission Chairman, Engr. Emeka Ezeh, to withdraw the queries. NARD also requested the minister to reprimand officials of the FCT Hospitals Management Board involved in the issuance.

NARD considers the issuance of queries to union representatives over the communication of a planned national action deeply troubling and capable of unnecessarily escalating tension and undermining industrial harmony within the FCT health sector.

— NARDThe association described the potential consequences of the FCT Administration's actions.

NARD emphasized that resident doctors should not face intimidation or punitive measures for communicating their union's decisions through proper channels. The association warned that such actions could escalate tensions and undermine industrial harmony in the FCT health sector. They declared that any punitive action against the ARD FCT Executive Council would be considered an issue concerning the entire NARD family.

The doctors' body demanded the immediate withdrawal of the queries, stating that failure to comply would result in further lawful collective action, starting with a national protest in Abuja. If the queries remain in force, NARD warned that a national industrial action would immediately follow. The association clarified that its stance is not a threat but a declaration of its resolve to protect its members' rights and interests through lawful means.

Should the queries remain in force thereafter, a national industrial action will immediately follow.

— NARDThe association warned of further action if their demands are not met.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ThisDay in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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