Nigerian Doctors Strike Amid Coronavirus Third Wave

ABUJA, NIGERIA - Doctors in Nigeria’s state-run hospitals have walked off the job over what they call poor salaries, insurance, and facilities despite a third wave of coronavirus infections. Hospitals were already struggling to cope with the caseload and health authorities fear the strike, which began Monday, could overwhelm them and end up costing lives.

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, or NARD, said the goal is to compel the government to uphold an earlier agreement on pay arrears, hazard allowances and honor benefits for families of members who die in service to the country. The government, for its part, said it was not aware of the plan for the doctors to go on strike. But as the country faces a third coronavirus wave caused by the lethal delta variant, health authorities said the strike action is dangerous. Ndaeyo Iwot is the executive secretary at the Abuja Primary Health Care Board.