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The President of the National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, Dr. Mohammed Suleiman, has declared that doctors will no longer work under conditions resembling slavery.
Suleiman made this statement on Thursday during an interview on Arise Television.
He urged members to restrict call duties to a maximum of 24 hours starting from October 1.
He further explained that this new directive aims to tackle issues such as burnout, inadequate welfare, and the mass migration of doctors from Nigeria.
Suleiman also mentioned that the association has given the federal government a 30-day ultimatum to address its demands.
“If you examine the statistics, in the past decade, we have lost approximately 15,000 to 16,000 doctors to other countries,” he stated.
“Ten years ago, due to one of our actions, the federal government dismissed about 15,000 doctors during a strike. However, they eventually reinstated all of us,” he added.
He cautioned that the ongoing shortage has compelled doctors to undertake unsafe workloads.
According to him, the decision to impose limits on call duties came after NARD’s annual general meeting in Katsina, where members unanimously agreed that doctors are not slaves and must prioritize their well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the new call duty limits for doctors?
Doctors are now required to limit their call duties to a maximum of 24 hours starting from October 1.
Why is the National Association of Resident Doctors taking this action?
This action is intended to address issues of burnout, poor welfare, and the mass exodus of doctors from Nigeria.
What ultimatum has NARD given to the federal government?
NARD has issued a 30-day ultimatum for the federal government to respond to its demands.
