Nigerian doctors begin strike amidst coronavirus crisis

Abuja, Nigeria – Doctors in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, has announced that they are proceeding on an “indefinite strike” as the world fights the coronavirus pandemic. The industrial action seems to come at the wrong time as different countries of the world pool resources combat the virus crisis.

The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Abuja chapter, announced their decision about an hour after the third case of COVID19 was confirmed in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos.

The doctors said that they are intentional in their decision to get the attention of the government, who they blamed for withholding their salary for the last two months.
According to a statement signed by the head of ARD, Roland Aigbovo, the association said the mass action followed the failure of the Abuja government’s inability to pay them their basic salaries for a couple of months.

Mr Aigbovo said their members have been thrown into financial distress due to the non-payment of their salaries in spite of their dialogue with the higher authorities in Abuja. The explained that the ARD has considered the health threat posed by the coronavirus scare, their work conditions, including the existing patient they care for before arriving at the “difficult decision.”