NGF to address ‘unresolved issues’ with resident doctors in five states

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has resolved to settle all pending issues involving the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD). 

On October 4, the association suspended its nationwide strike — two months after the action began.

In a communique released after its 34th teleconference meeting which held on Thursday, Kayode Fayemi, chairman of NGF, said five states that have unresolved issues with the doctors have been advised to appoint high-ranking officials to discuss with NARD at the state level.

“On the suspended strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD), the Forum noted that there were still unresolved issues in five states: Abia, Imo, Ondo, Kaduna and Ekiti, and advised that state governors appoint either the deputy governor or another high-ranking official such as the commissioner of health to take up the discussion with the association at the state level,” he said.

Fayemi said the governors also deliberated on national issues such as supporting medical research, providing access to HIV testing and treatment, as well as improving investment in the country.

“Following a presentation by Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, Chairman of the Board of Trustees to the Nigerian lnstitute of Medical Research Foundation, on a national fundraising initiative that seeks to mobilise resources for the establishment of an Endowment for medical research in the country, the Forum resolved to make a collective pledge to support research in priority medical fields in the country and called on all State governments to individually advance support for this initiative at the state level,” the communique reads.

“Members also received a presentation from Mark Giambrone, the Country Coordinator for PEPFAR in Nigeria, on the status of state engagement that is paving the way towards HIV epidemic control in the country.

“With the country on the verge of reaching control status by the end of 2022, Governors pledged to continue to facilitate access to HIV testing and treatment for more Nigerians and committed to supporting campaigns and initiatives that will reduce stigmatisation among people living with HIV/AIDS.

“Following a briefing from the representative of the Nigeria-Arabian Gulf Chamber of Commerce on a memorandum signed with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to attract foreign direct investment into the country via the ongoing Dubai Expo 2020, the Forum consented to the representation of state governments and the presentation of a set of bankable projects selected from 12 participating states, 2 per geopolitical zone in the country in areas such as energy, technology, Tintech, transportation, manufacturing and agriculture.”