Resident Doctors May Call Off Strike On Saturday, Says NARD President

The leadership of National Association of Resident Doctors after a meeting with the relevant Government Representatives disclosed it may call off its strike on Saturday.

The meeting took place at the Conference Hall of the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, to discuss the current issues in dispute between the group and the federal government.

Nigeria health sector had on April 01, embarked on industrial action to demand better wages.

The issues in consideration include non payment of House Officers’ salaries, hazard allowance, wages among others.

The issues not considered at the meeting include abolishment of bench fees, doctors’ lives insurance payment and training allowance.

On his part, Dr. Chris Ngige, noted that a committee was established after the meeting to address the doctors’ demands.

On the area of salary, Ngige mandated NARD and the committee of Chief Medical Doctors to submit a list of affected institutions and staff for it to be captured in the 2021 supplementary budget, adding that from April 2019 to December 2019 arrears be contained in the memorandum of action.

On payment of hazard allowance, Ngige directed to present a paper position to be submitted to the Presidential Committee on salaries, the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, the Nigeria Medical Association, and the Joint Health Sector Union on April 14 at Federal Ministry of Labour.

NARD’s national President, Dr. Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi who was satisfied with the outcome of the meeting said the association cannot call of the strike until its executive council has been consulted.

“The strike hopefully will be called of on the Saturday,” he said.