Doctors in Nigeria’s public hospitals have embarked on strike as they demand better benefits for their efforts at fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
The union representing the doctors said those of them still treating COVID-19 patients will however stay on the job.
These doctors would also abandon work, according to the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), if the government doesn’t meet the demands of the doctors in two weeks.
“If the government fails to meet our minimum demands within two weeks, the resident doctors working in (COVID-19) isolation centres will automatically join the strike,” Aliyu Sokomba, the head of the union, said in a statement.
The doctors want a COVID-19 pay supplement in addition to their life insurance package as well as more funds in the federal budget for their training.
The doctors mostly referred to as resident doctors graduated from medical school and are training as specialist consultants.
These health workers have been key in leading the battle against the pandemic at the frontline in Nigeria.
They have consistently complained about lack of Personal Protective Equipment, raising concerns about their safety.
Nigeria has confirmed over 16,000 covid-19 cases with 420 deaths. Most of the cases in Lagos state.
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Source: Africafeeds.com
