The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARDs) has called off its continuing nationwide strike, which began more than two weeks ago in response to the government’s refusal to satisfy its members’ requests.
NARD’s President, Dr. Emeka Orji, told newsmen that following the involvement of Mr. President and the Senate President earlier in the week, some of the association’s requests had been granted, and they pledged to begin working on the other ones.
“So we don’t see the need to continue the strike; instead, we hope they continue the process of resolving the issues that prompted us to go on strike in the first place.”
Orji indicated that all Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARDs) members are expected to return to work by 8 a.m. on Saturday.
According to him, the Federal government has authorized the payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), and the government is working on the one-for-one replacement circular.
Orji added that the circular on one-for-one replacement is critical to the organisation since it would aid in resolving the issue of chronic staffing shortages in hospitals.
He stated that the association’s National Executive Committee will convene in two weeks to examine developments, with the hope that the government will have made headway in the circular process by then.
On July 26, 2023, NARD called a comprehensive and indefinite strike action in response to the government’s refusal to satisfy its members’ requests.
The Association’s major requests include the immediate payment of the 2023 MRTF, the prompt release of the circular on one-for-one replacement, the payment of skipping arrears, and an upward review of CONMESS in accordance with complete salary restoration to the 2014 value of CONMESS.
Payment of the arrears of consequential adjustment of minimum to the omitted doctors, reversal of the downgrading of the membership certificate by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), payment of MRTF, new hazard allowance, skipping and implementation of corrected CONMESS in State Tertiary Health Institutions, and payment of omitted hazard allowance arrears are also among the other items.
It should be noted that the association met this week with the Legislative arms of government led by the Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Dalma Anas Ibrahim, and the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, during which both arms requested that the striking doctors give them 24 hours to make a decision.
Following their efforts, the NARDs called off the planned mass demonstration and picketing of government buildings for last Wednesday.
