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A total nationwide strike by the 16,000-strong National Association of Resident Doctors entered its eighth day on Monday, plunging millions of Nigerians further into pain, anguish, and for some, possibly death. Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic now in its third wave, a cholera outbreak and rising poverty, the action by professionals sworn to save human lives is one strike too many. In the interest of shared humanity, they should call it off today.
An extension of an earlier strike in April, the action is hinged on familiar grouses: failure of the government to pay residency allowances, COVID-19 hazard allowance, outstanding salary shortfalls and migration of doctors to agreed payroll platforms. The doctors are particularly angry that a Memorandum of Understanding between NARD and the Federal Government had not been implemented and by the irregular or non-payment of the meagre N5,000 monthly hazard grant.
However, doctors, as the apex medical professionals, should employ the strike option only as a last resort. They are not factory workers, tanker drivers or excitable students. Their Hippocratic Oath is supposed to be a lifetime commitment to saving and preserving lives. As enlightened professionals, they should explore other means of pressing home legitimate grievances rather than total strikes.
There should therefore be more refined ways of doctors making their point. A review of strikes by health care workers across the world by the International Association for the Study of Pain found no evidence of increased mortality because striking doctors preserve emergency services. As their colleagues do elsewhere, Nigerian doctors should adopt a strategy whereby some members will down tools while others continue working.
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