Nigeria: Doctors set to start strike amid pandemic

ANKARA (AA) – A Nigerian doctors group on Monday announced an “indefinite” nationwide strike over the government not addressing their demand amid the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

The National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD) strike starts Monday at midnight (2300GMT), the group said on Twitter.

The group stressed the government should make “alternative arrangements” for patient care, the Sahara Reporters website cited Dr. Aliyu Sokomba, the group’s head, as saying.

Among the doctors’ complaints are inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE) for all healthcare workers and reversal of the disengagement of 26 resident doctors at Jos University Teaching Hospital and the payment of their salaries, said the website.

Early this month the group warned of a possible strike if their demands are not met.

In response, Federal Health Minister Osagie Ehanire urged all resident doctors not to go on a strike, but to use avenues of communication to discuss the issues they face.

He assured them that they will be provided with all the materials they need to work including PPE.

On Sunday the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) said COVID-19 cases have surpassed 16,000 in Nigeria with 420 deaths, amid a shortage in a testing capacity.