Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the immediate implementation of a national framework to protect healthcare workers from increasing attacks and violence across the country.
The ultimatum was announced at the end of the association’s Ordinary General Meeting (OGM), where delegates expressed deep concern over what they described as a disturbing rise in assaults, harassment, intimidation, and physical attacks against doctors and other medical personnel while carrying out their duties.
NARD President, Dr. Muhammad Usman Suleiman, said the growing insecurity faced by healthcare workers poses a serious threat to the nation’s healthcare system and the safety of professionals dedicated to saving lives.
According to the association, attacks on doctors and healthcare workers have become increasingly common in hospitals and health facilities across Nigeria, creating fear among medical personnel and negatively affecting healthcare service delivery.
The resident doctors called on the Federal Government to urgently develop and implement a comprehensive National Healthcare Workers Assault Prevention and Response Framework. They also demanded stronger legal protections for healthcare workers, including the criminalization of assaults against medical personnel.
NARD stated that healthcare workers often operate under difficult conditions and should not be subjected to violence while providing critical medical services to the public. The association stressed that perpetrators of attacks on health workers must be investigated, arrested, and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Beyond security concerns, the association also raised several welfare issues affecting resident doctors nationwide. These include outstanding salary arrears, unpaid residency training funds, manpower shortages in health facilities, and poor working conditions.
The doctors warned that the continued neglect of these concerns could further weaken the country’s healthcare sector, which is already struggling with a shortage of medical professionals due to the increasing migration of doctors abroad in search of better opportunities.
NARD noted that the safety and welfare of healthcare workers are essential to ensuring quality healthcare services for Nigerians. The association urged the government to act swiftly to address the challenges facing the sector before they escalate further.
The resident doctors warned that failure by the Federal Government to begin implementing the requested measures within the 21-day period could lead to further industrial actions. They stated that while they remain committed to dialogue and engagement with relevant authorities, they cannot guarantee industrial harmony if their demands are ignored.
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