By Charles Adingupu
As part of concerted effort to checkmate brain that has almost crippled the sector, the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has demanded 200% pay rise for its members, otherwise it would embark on an indefinite strike action.
Making the demand at a meeting held at the weekend in Abeokuta, Ogun state, South West Nigeria, the Association’s National President, Dr. Emeka Innocent Orji disclosed that it’s members are living the shores of Nigeria to search for more lucrative job offer in overseas countries.
Dr Orji assured that the 200% hike in salaries of Resident Doctors in Nigeria would help to curtail the unprecedented exodus of Nigerian Doctors searching for greener pastures overseas.
Against this backdrop, the President issued two weeks ultimatum to the federal government to accede to their demand or they will embark on an indefinite strike action.
Dr. Orji averred that it’s only reasonable that Nigerian Doctors take home is at par with their contemporaries else where in the world.
Dr Orji also recalled that the brain drained in the Nigeria’s medical sector has thrown up so much challenge on the few available doctors.
He disclosed that at the moment, the dearth of medical personnel in the nation’s hospitals had left the few available ones overburdened.
In this regard, Dr. Orji urged the federal government not to hesitate in addressing their demand expeditiously as it would help to discourage upcoming medical personnel already nursing the ambition of looking for plumb job offer in overseas countries.
