Yesterday, members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) declared that their five-day warning strike had been suspended. On May 17, the strike got going.
The choice was made after the reconciliation meeting held last Friday between the association and the Federal Government, represented by Dr. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labor and Employment.
The parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the meeting.
The NARD decided to pick up where it left off today after speaking with its members. It issued a second two-week deadline for the government to accede to its members’ demands.
The National Executive Council (NEC) of the association is expected to reconvene by June 2 at its general meeting to decide on the next line of action.
Earlier, the NARD threatened to declare an indefinite strike should the government further default in its agreement within the two-week window.
On April 29, the association issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to meet its demands. The 14-day notice ended on May 13.
The NARD began its warning strike over its unmet demands on May 17. The strike would have ended today.
Among others, the association is seeking:
- 200 per cent review of their Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS)
- Payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF)
- Issuance of a circular by the House of Representatives jettisoning the bill by Hon. Ganiyu Johnson, which seeks to stop young doctors from leaving the country without a five-year service period.
- Issuance of a circular by the Federal Ministry of Health for replacement of doctors and nurses that have left the system with new ones, and the payment of salary arrears
- Improvement in hazard allowance by state governments.
“Strike is suspended. Work resumes at 8am tomorrow (today). The progress made will be reviewed on 2nd June 2023 during our general meeting, where the next line of action will be decided”, President of the association, Dr. Emeka Orji, told The Nation last night.