FG sacks striking resident doctors

The Federal Government has asked Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals to replace resident doctors who are currently on a warning strike.

This development is coming barely 24 hours after the commencement of one week warning strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors.



The government’s directive to sack the striking NARD members was contained in a circular with Ref. No. DHS/828/T/199 dated January 19, 2017 issued by the Director of Health Services in the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Wapada Balami.

However, the NMA in a statement by its President, Prof. Mike Ogirima and Secretary-General, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, kicked against the decision by the FG to sack the doctors who were only fighting for their right.

Ogitima further urged the FG to “immediately withdraw the circular” in the interest of industrial peace in the nation’s health sector.

The NMA advised Nigerians to prevail on officials of the Federal Ministry of Health not to “further jeopardise the health of Nigerians already burdened with the biting economic recession.”