The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its nationwide strike, which had disrupted healthcare services across the country, following assurances from the Federal Government to meet some of its key demands.
Confirming the development in a text message to THISDAY on Sunday, NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, directed members of the association to resume work immediately.
The resident doctors had embarked on the strike on Friday, after the expiration of a 24-hour grace period that followed an earlier 10-day ultimatum issued on September 10.
Dr. Osundara said the decision to suspend the industrial action was based on the government’s commitment to commence the payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to beneficiaries.
“Our strike has been suspended, doctors to resume work today. Some of our demands have been met. One of them is the payment of Medical Residency Training Fund. Government 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,” he said.
According to THISDAY, the Minister of Labour and Employment and the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare met with the NARD leadership over the weekend to convey the government’s position.
While acknowledging progress, Osundara stressed that several outstanding demands remain unresolved. These include unpaid arrears, downgrade of membership certificates, manpower shortages, and the immediate release of a corrected circular on doctors’ remuneration from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC).
The association is also pressing for the settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review, as well as other longstanding salary backlogs.
