Doctors under the umbrella of National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, have suspended their week-long strike, after they received some positive response from government.
The doctors had Monday, 15 June 2020 embarked on a nationwide strike following some disagreements regarding hazard allowance and safety of health workers in the front line against COVID-19, among others.
They acknowledged provision of personal protective equipment (PPEs) in some hospitals but maintained that were still needs for sustained supplies.
In a communiqué issued at the end of NARD’s National Executive Council, NEC’s virtual extra-ordinary meeting, jointly signed by the President, Aliyu Sokomba, Publicity Social Secretary, Dr Egbogu Stanley and the Secretary-General, Bilqis Muhammad, it was revealed that majority of members agreed to the suspension of the strike.
The doctors also announced the Medical Residency Training funding has been included in the revised 2020 budget through the intervention of Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila and will be implemented as soon as the budget is assented to by the President.
While the suspension of the strike takes effect immediately from Monday 8am, the doctors said they are giving federal government four weeks to fulfill its promises.
NARD President Dr Aliyu Sokomba made these known in Abuja at a briefing after its extraordinary virtual National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
Speaking during the extraordinary virtual National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, Sokomba said: “The NEC acknowledges the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to some hospitals. However these PPEs are consumables and non-reusable, therefore the need for sustained supply.
The Medical residency training funding has been included in the revised 2020 budget through the intervention of the Hon. Speaker, House of Representative and will be implemented as soon as the budget is assented to by the President. At the same time, we await the fulfillment of the promise made by the Nigeria Governors Forum to ensure same is done in all the states.
“On the Salary shortfall for 2014-2016, The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) has promised to intervene. Government has shown commitment to procure group life insurance for health workers.
“The disengaged resident doctors at Jos University Teaching Hospital have been reinstated, the Chief Medical Director has been directed to pay their withheld salaries and comply with the provisions of the Medical Residency Training Act (MRTA).”
He further added: “On State Tertiary Health Institutions (STHIs), the Chairman Nigeria Governors Forum His Excellency Dr Kayode Fayemi and the DG NGF Mr Asishana Okauru, appealed to be given time to discuss with other state Governors of KOGI, GOMBE, LAGOS, OYO, OSUN, OGUN, ONDO, LAGOS, KADUNA, NASSARAWA, ENUGU, ANAMBRA, ABIA and IMO, for immediate pay parity as with the corrected CONMESS of 2019 and that salary shortfalls due our members will be paid shortly.
