FG gets 72-hour ultimatum to pay doctors’ salary arrears as NARD elects new leaders

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given the federal government 72 hours to pay salary arrears of its members.

The association announced the ultimatum at a media briefing on Saturday, after the swearing-in of new NARD executives.

The event held in Bauchi state.

Dare Ishaya, new president of the association, said the ongoing strike — which began on August 2 — will continue until the “minimum demands” of the association are met.

“Annual general meeting unanimously resolved by votes to continue the total and indefinite strike action until our minimum demands are met,” Ishaya said.

“The annual general meeting, in particular, demanded that the federal government should ensure the following urgently for the purpose of restoring normalcy to the health sector: payment of medical residency training within 72 hours, since the money meant for it is available and verification of the list for payment has been completed; payment of the arrears of salaries of our members on GIFMIS platform within 72 hours, while the migration process continues.”

The association also urged the federal government to withdraw the court case against NARD “in the interest of peace”.

NARD had rejected a recent ruling of the national industrial court directing the association to suspend its strike “with immediate effect”.

Meanwhile, efforts by the federal government and the national assembly to get the resident doctors to call off the strike have proved abortive.