The University of Abuja Teaching Hospital branch of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Gwagwalada, yesterday staged a peaceful protest over non-implementation of policies in the National Health Act 2014.

 

The doctors turned out in large numbers with placards reading: ‘Implement National Health Act 2014’, ‘Provide basic equipment’, and ‘Implement new residency programme,’ among others.

 

The president of the association, Dr. Ucha Ifeanyi, said  the association embarked on the peaceful protest  following a directive by its national body.

 

He alleged that the resident doctors of the hospital suffered selective implementation of policies.

 

Ifeanyi said doctors  on same stage should be placed on equal levels, adding that proper placement of doctors which has been approved should also be implemented.

 

“The association actually understands the government policy of no work, no pay, but  it is only directed towards the doctors, while other unions go on strike and end up earning steady salaries,” he said.

 

He further said the residency training, like others, should be sponsored, adding that there should be a white paper released to that effect and not for the training to be subjected to the hospital policy.

 

The NARD president further alleged non-remittance of their pension deductions.

 

“Why is the federal government not contributing its quota to our pension. We go through this training for seven to eight years so, must we go through this till we are all consultants before we start saving up for our pensions,” he added.