Strike: Resident doctors ‘grateful’, describe Ngige as ‘medical elder of repute’

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has commended Chris Ngige, minister of labour and employment, for his role in ending its recent nationwide strike.

The doctors specifically lauded the minister’s “outstanding leadership qualities” which they said helped to resolve issues that led to the industrial action.

The commendation was contained in a letter to the minister signed by Okhuaihesuyi  Uyilawa and Jerry-Kunle Isogun, respectively, NARD national president and secretary-general.

NAN reports that the content of the letter was made public by Charles Akpan, spokesperson of the ministry of labour.

The doctors had called off their 10-day strike after signing an agreement with the federal government, concerning issues raised in their 13-point demand.

The government had promised to address the issues, which mostly had to do with poor remuneration and conditions of service.

While the strike lasted, the NARD president had said Ngige, who is a medical doctor, has “lost touch with medicine“, after accusing him of falsehood.

But the association said in the letter that they are “humbled” by the minister’s efforts, describing him as “a medical elder of repute”.

“On behalf of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), we write to express our sincere gratitude for your role in resolving the issues of agitation amongst our members,” the letter read.

“We also commend you for your outstanding leadership qualities, which have resulted in the timely solutions to the lingering issues in the Health Sector.

“We are deeply humbled by your steadfastness, especially as it concerns resident doctors.

“Your role as the chief conciliator is evident as the Federal Government has acknowledged our plights and requested for time to solve them. You are indeed a medical elder of repute.”