As resident doctors in Kano, Osogbo, Port Harcourt, Jalingo, Gombe, Enugu, Ibadan, Lagos and other parts of the country strike, the Federal Government has expressed anger over the industrial action which began a few hours after the NARD signed an agreement with government.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, on Thursday, said government would decide the fate of the doctors, if they refused to call off the strike before the weekend.

Recall that the NARD, an association of doctors undergoing residency training, had on Sunday said it would begin “a total and indefinite strike” on Thursday if the Federal Government refused to accede to its demands.

Among others, the doctors are demanding payment of salaries of house officers and an upward review of their 5,000 Naira hazard allowance. Investigations show that the strike is effective in hospitals despite efforts by the National Assembly as well as the Ministry of Labour and Employment to prevent it.

Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Director, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Dr. Adebowale Adekoya, has expressed concern over the strike by the doctors. n Speaking to iBrandTV, Adekoya said although resident doctors have embarked on strike, the hospital will remain functional.

He explained that resident doctors are just a fraction of workers in the hospital, adding that other units of the medical section are still functional.

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