It’s been four weeks since the National Association of Resident Doctors embarked on a nationwide strike over issues bordering on it’s service delivery, welfare and training. According to the NARD Leadership, the industrial action was informed by what they described as government insensitivity to the sector especially in the area of keeping it’s part of the bargain to various agreements reached with the union. While interventions from various stakeholders including the Nigeria Medical Association seems not to be yielding the desired results, the strike has continue to take it’s toll on the sector with ordinary Nigerians who cannot afford medical care in private health facilities suffering the brunt. Speaking with Channel Network Afrique on the streets of the Abuja metropolis,Some residents expressed worry over the development saying it calls for urgent action from the government and the striking doctors. They further condemned Government decision to seek refuge in court. The Doctors were not left out of the blame game as the need to shift ground on some of the issues of disputes especially for the sake of the masses was also highlighted. They however urged both parties to return to the negotiating table and resolve the differences insisting that the trend of industrial actions in the health sector is fast becoming a cause for great concern.
