30 Doctors Assaulted in 11 Months: NARD Says Enough Is Enough as Strike Looms
Naija Pulse is sounding the alarm. The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has dropped a bombshell: at least 30 doctors were physically assaulted across Nigeria in the past 11 months. That is three attacks every single month. And this is just one reason why an indefinite nationwide strike is set to hit on August 10.
Dr. Kwarshak Kevin, NARD's Second Vice-President, broke it down on Channels Television. He said patients' relatives and even security personnel are the culprits. These attacks happen while doctors are on duty, saving lives under tough conditions. Kevin called it unacceptable, especially as Nigeria bleeds medical professionals to the brain drain.
He demanded the Federal Government pass a law that slaps penalties on anyone who assaults healthcare workers. He also wants a rapid-response security protocol to protect doctors on the job. Because if you can't keep your healers safe, who will heal the nation?
Why the Strike Is Coming
NARD is not itching for a fight. But after their National Executive Council meeting on July 19, they had no choice. The issues are deep. House officers are waiting seven to eight months for their salaries. Imagine working for almost a year without pay. Kevin said this is pushing young doctors out of the profession and out of the country.
Then there is the 18 months of unpaid professional allowance arrears. The government fixed the structure after the Vice-President and the Minister of Health stepped in. But the cash? Still missing. Kevin asked, How can you owe a health worker 18 months of earned allowances and still leave the matter unresolved?
And it gets worse. At a teaching hospital in Lagos, doctors who protested the removal of meals for on-call staff were allegedly intimidated. Some were even blocked from sitting for professional exams. Kevin stressed that doctors on call must stay in the hospital to handle emergencies. Forcing them to leave for food hurts patient care.
Not All Bad News
Kevin did give credit where it is due. The government has launched an emergency medical services program that covers treatment, medications, and surgeries for the first 24 hours. They are also supporting dialysis for kidney disease patients and approved direct recruitment for senior doctors. But he said it is not enough.
Nigeria needs better healthcare infrastructure. It needs to protect its medical workers. And it needs to settle those welfare issues. NARD is still open to dialogue, but the clock is ticking. August 10 is coming, and if the government does not act, the doctors will walk.
This is not just about salaries or allowances. This is about respect. About safety. About keeping our best and brightest in Nigeria. The question is: will the government step up before the strike hits?