The Lagos State Government says it noted the decision of the National Association of Residents Doctors (NARD) to call out doctors on a strike from Monday, 2nd August 2021, including doctors on NYSC.
According to a statement signed by Mrs Ajibola Ponnle, Commissioner Ministry of Establishment, Training and Pensions, the decision followed the directive of its National Executive Committee meeting held in Umuahia on 30th July 2021.
The communique cited, amongst other grievances, a purported directive from the Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Special Duties, to reduce the monthly payment of NYSC Doctors from N75,000 to N15,000, effective July 2021.
The Lagos government claimed the information is not true but acknowledged a potential change of financial status for the NYSC doctors.
Here’s part of the statement.
“The resolutions reached the 42nd National Council on Establishments (NCE) Meeting held in Lagos on Monday, 30th November Friday, 4th December 2020, necessitated the issuance of a circular by the Head of Service of Lagos State, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola, to communicate the decision taken at the Federal level to public servants in Lagos.
“The directive was that Internship Programmes/Houseman-ship/NYSC Doctors in the Public Service should no longer attract Grade Levels in the Salary Structure as the programmes form part of the training.
“Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu remains committed to the welfare of Lagos State Government employees, particularly the health workers who have shown commitment, bravery and resilience in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The State Government, through the Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions, will hold a stakeholders’ consultative meeting in the coming week on the implications of the decision taken by the National Council of Establishments on Internship, Housemanship and NYSC Doctors in the Civil/Public Service, which prompted this action.
“The decision of NARD is hasty. We, therefore, appeal for restraint by the Lagos Chapter of the Association of Resident Doctors and the Nigerian Medical Association. They should wait for the conclusion of these engagements “