Nigerian Doctors to Stage Nationwide Protest Over Unmet Demands by Country’s President

Nigerian doctors who have been on strike since July 26 are planning to escalate their efforts by organizing a nationwide protest. They accuse the newly elected president of neglecting their demands for improved pay, better working conditions, and the settlement of unpaid earnings.

Scheduled to commence on Wednesday, the protest adds to the challenges faced by President Bola Tinubu, who also leads the West Africa regional bloc ECOWAS in its efforts to restore democracy in Niger following a recent coup.

In a letter addressed to the country’s ministry of health on August 5, Dr. Innocent Orji, the president of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, highlighted the necessity of the protest to emphasize their grievances, which they feel have been largely ignored by the government.

The resident doctors, who are graduate trainees providing critical care in public hospitals across the nation, face an alarming scarcity, with just two physicians per 10,000 residents, according to the Nigerian Medical Association.

Despite the doctors’ strike and their demands for improved pay and working conditions, the health ministry responded with a “no work, no pay” policy and other punitive measures, further exacerbating the situation.

In their letter to the health ministry, the doctors expressed their intention to picket government offices and institutions until their demands are met. They expressed disappointment in the government’s approach, claiming that instead of addressing the underlying issues, the authorities chose to vilify the resident doctors.

This planned protest follows a previous demonstration by Nigerian trade unions protesting the high cost of living in the country. Policies introduced by President Tinubu since taking office in May have added strain to millions of Nigerians already struggling with surging inflation and a high rate of multidimensional poverty.

As the country faces multiple challenges, some doctors have advised the president to focus on domestic issues, stating that addressing local concerns would be more beneficial in the long run.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Nigerian doctors protest

More about Nigerian doctors protest

• [The Big Big News](link to the website or article)
• [Nigerian Medical Association](link to the website or relevant page)
• [ECOWAS](link to the website or relevant page)