‘Progress made will be reviewed in June’ — residents doctors suspend warning strike

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its five-day warning strike.

The resident doctors began a five-day warning strike on Wednesday due to the federal government’s refusal to meet its demand.

Some of the demands include massive recruitment of clinical staff in the hospitals; immediate infrastructural development in hospitals and an allocation of at least 15% of the budgetary provisions to health; immediate payment of the 2023 medical residency training fund (MRTF); and the immediate increment in the consolidated medical salary structure (CONMESS) to the tune of 200% of the gross salary of doctors.

The withdrawal of the anti-brain drain bill from the national assembly is one of the prominent demands of the association.

But on Friday, the resident doctors along with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) met with Chris Ngige, minister of labour and employment.

During the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed, showing that both parties agreed that the federal government cannot compel states to effect payment of salaries and allowances in the health sector.

On Monday, through a statement signed by Umar Musaon, NARD’s publicity secretary,  said following a review of the commitments made by the federal government, the strike has now been suspended.

NARD said it would review the progress made during its ordinary general meeting (OGM) in June.

“The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) calls off its 5-day warning strike after review of the commitments made by the FG. Members are to resume work at 8 am Monday, 22nd May 2023,” the statement reads.

“Further review of progress made shall be ratified at the NARD OGM, tagged ‘EKO 2023’ slated for 28th May – 3rd June.”