The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) under the auspices of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on Monday embarked on peaceful protest at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital to demand the reversal of Federal Government sack of 16,000 resident doctors across the country.
The association is also asking the government to lift the ban on doctors’ residency training.
Lagos State NMA chairman, Dr Tope Ojo said the only way forward was for Mr President to “unconditionally reverse the sacking of the doctors”.
He said such step was important for NMA to continue to dialogue with the government, adding that doctors should not be threatened with sack.
President Goodluck Jonathan, in an internal memo dated August 13 and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, L.N. Awute, fired the nation’s resident doctors.
The letter said the development became necessary following an appraisal of the challenges currently facing the health sector.