Resident doctors unsure of work after strike end

Resident doctors remain uncertain about resuming work on account of a standing suspension of a government-funded residency training programme for residents. Their reluctance comes hours after a nationwide doctors’ strike was called off on its 55th day and despite assurances by the parent Nigerian Medical Association to continue negotiations. Patients trickled into hospitals Tuesday on […]

Resident doctors remain uncertain about resuming work on account of a standing suspension of a government-funded residency training programme for residents.

Their reluctance comes hours after a nationwide doctors’ strike was called off on its 55th day and despite assurances by the parent Nigerian Medical Association to continue negotiations.

Patients trickled into hospitals Tuesday on hearing the strike had ended but were left uncertain what doctors to see.

“We heard doctors were told to start work yesterday [Monday] after such a long time. That’s why we came,” said Raymond Ihele, on a first paediatric visit since his wife gave birth to the family’s new son at National Hospital days before the strike started July 1.

“But it doesn’t even look like the doctors are ready to work. They are just standing, looking like the strike is still on.”

Resident doctors are still unsure what their status is with the standing suspension still hanging over them.

NMA, which suspended its strike on Sunday, asked the federal government to reinstate some 16,000 resident doctors purportedly left without jobs as a consequence of the suspension.

It said their reinstatement should be “without punitive measures.”

Federal government has yet to make a definitive statement on the suspended residency training programme in the wake of the suspended strike.

In days leading to the end of strike, government instead insisted it was not sacking doctors.

But thousands of resident doctors suddenly faced with no jobs have been required to pick up locum appointments, by the management of the hospitals where they work.

NMA still stands against locum appointments and has directed its members not to sign any documentation that could relieve them of their appointment, insisting instead that they continue work as usual while it negotiates with government.