Resident doctors suspend nationwide strike

Resident doctors in the country have suspended their nationwide indefinite strike action.

The doctors, under the aegis of the National Association of Resident Doctors, said the suspension of their strike takes effect from Monday, June 22, 2020.

They had embarked on the strike last Monday following Federal Government’s failure to meet their demands after a 14-day ultimatum. 

The doctors said they took the decision to suspend the strike action to enable the Federal and state governments time to fulfil outstanding demands following an appeal by the Speaker of the Federal House of Representative, Femi Gbajabiamila, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, Dr Kayode Fayemi as well as other stakeholders.

The resident doctors announced the suspension of the strike in a communique issued after its virtual National Executive Council meeting on Saturday, and jointly signed by its National President, Dr Aliyu Sokomba; Secretary General, Dr Bilqis Muhammad and Publicity Secretary, Dr Stanley Egbogu.

Sokonmba read the communique to journalists on Sunday in Abuja after its National Executive Council meeting attended by over 300 members.

According to the communique, “NEC resolved to suspend the ongoing indefinite strike action with effect from Monday 22nd of June 2020 by8am prompt.

“The National Officers shall continue negotiations with stakeholders and progress made shall be reviewed in four weeks during the next National Executive council meeting in July 2020.

“The NEC acknowledges the provision of Personal Protective Equipment to some hospitals. However, these PPEs are consumables and non-reusable, therefore the need for sustained supply.

“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 fulfilment 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 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 (MRT).” 

NARD NEC also observed that COVID-19 inducement allowance had only been paid to eleven Federal health institutions and that most state governments were yet to review the hazard allowance of health workers.

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