Doctors in Abia State have been on strike for almost a year over unpaid salaries, says the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

President of the association, Dr Dare Ishaya, disclosed this on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

He criticised the Abia State Government for owing resident doctors their salaries as well as failing to implement the Medical Residency Training Act in the state.

 “I want to tell Nigerians that our doctors in the Abia State University Teaching Hospital have been on strike for almost a year now,” he said.

Ishaya gave that the state government two weeks to pay the salary arrears and also domesticate Medical Residency Training Act in the state or the NARD National Executive Council “will consider everything and take appropriate decisions in the next two weeks”.

The doctors are asking the Federal Government to expedite action on the payment of the newly reviewed Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) so its members can meet up with the closing date of examination registration as advertised by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN).

They are also demanding the immediate implementation and payment of the new Hazard Allowance and arrears as contained in the circular from the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC).

Other demands include the payment of the skipping arrears for 2014, 2015 and 2016 to deserving members and immediate payment of consequential adjustment of the minimum wage to its members who have not benefitted since it was implemented several years ago.

The doctors are demanding an immediate review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and other related allowances given the current economic situation in the country, and also in line with the agreed terms from the previous Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that it will be reviewed regularly

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