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The strike action embarked on by National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD has been suspended and therefore, all members of the association have been directed to resume work immediately.
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The Resident doctors had commenced strike Friday morning after the expiration of the 24 – hours additional grace period given by the association after expiration of its earlier 10-day deadline on September 10.
President of the association, Dr. Tope Osundara, confirmed the suspension of the industrial action to THISDAY in a text message on Sunday.
He said the decision of doctors to stop the two-day old strike was sequel to a commitment by the federal government to immediately begin payment of Medical Residency Training Fund, (MRTF) to beneficiaries.
It was learnt that Minister of Labour and Employment and Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare met with the leadership of NARD at the weekend to convey government’s decision.
When THISDAY sought to know the outcome of NARD’s engagement with the government, Osundara said:
“Our strike has been suspended, doctors are to resume work today. Some of our demands have been met. One of them is the payment of Medical Residency Training Fund Govt has also promised to look into other issues.
“We did this as a sign of goodwill and to assist Nigerians who are seeking healthcare in our various facilities”.
Osundara said that other outstanding demands that are not of immediate attention include: Unpaid Arrears, Downgrade of Membership certificate, Manpower shortage, Immediate release of corrected circular on remuneration for doctors from NSIWC.
Resident doctors are also demanding settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review, and other long-standing salary backlog demands
Credit: THISDAY
