Members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) yesterday announced the suspension of their five-day warning strike. The strike began on May 17.
The decision followed last Friday’s reconciliation meeting between the association and the Federal Government, represented by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige.
During the meeting, the parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
After consulting with its members, the NARD decided to resume work today. It gave the government another two weeks’ ultimatum to meet its members’ demands.
The National Executive Council (NEC) of the association is expected to reconvene by June 2 at its general meeting to decide on the next line of action.
Earlier, the NARD threatened to declare an indefinite strike should the government further default in its agreement within the two-week window.
On April 29, the association issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to meet its demands. The 14-day notice ended on May 13.
The NARD began its warning strike over its unmet demands on May 17. The strike would have ended today.
Among others, the association is seeking:
- 200 percent review of their Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
- Payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
- Issuance of a circular by the House of Representatives jettisoning the bill by Hon. Ganiyu Johnson, which seeks to stop young doctors from leaving the country without a five-year service period.
- Issuance of a circular by the Federal Ministry of Health for replacement of doctors and nurses that have left the system with new ones, and the payment of salary arrears.
- Improvement in hazard allowance by state governments.
“Strike is suspended. Work resumes at 8 am tomorrow (today). The progress made will be reviewed on 2nd June 2023 during our general meeting, where the next line of action will be decided”, the President of the association, Dr. Emeka Orji said.
Credit: The Nation
