As countries, international organisations and think tanks strive to find cure to the malignant coronavirus, doctors in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, on Tuesday announced that they were proceeding on an “indefinite strike”.
The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Abuja chapter, unruffled by the confirmation of the third case of the disease in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos, embarked on the industrial action to press home their demands.
In a statement signed by its president, Roland Aigbovo, the association said the doctors deliberated extensively on the health threat posed by the coronavirus scare, their work conditions, and patient care before arriving at the “difficult decision.”
The ARD president stated that the association had earlier issued warnings and ultimatums to alert authority to the non-payment of their salaries, adding that the authorities ignored the warnings.
The association said the mass action became imperative after the FCT administration failed to pay them their basic salaries for more than two months.
Mr Aigbovo said their members have been thrown into financial distress due to the nonpayment of their salaries and despite repeated warnings and ultimatum, nothing has been done by authorities.
He said there has been salary irregularities and shortfalls since the migration to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System by the FCTA.
Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Abuja chapter The union leader said other health workers who are also affected by the salary shortfalls will join the mass action within 48 hours if their demands “which are the same with ours are not met.”
Third coronavirus case recorded
The Lagos State Ministry of Health on Tuesday confirmed the third case of coronavirus in Nigeria.