Making good their threat, resident doctors under the aegis of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Thursday morning began a nationwide strike.
They rebuffed the last ditch efforts of the Federal Government to down their stethoscopes and white gowns.
In a public message directly to Nigerians, they appealed for understanding since their action is not to hurt them.
On the association’s Twitter handle, @nard_nigeria, on Thursday morning, the doctors wrote, “Nigerians must understand that we love them and the strike is not intended to hurt them but to challenge the Nigerian government @MBuhari @Fmohnigeria @LabourMinNG whose responsibilities amongst others is to care for her citizens and labour force to do the needful.”
The union’s President, Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, confirmed the development, even as President Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), is away to London for medical check-up.