The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its nationwide strike.
In a communique issued Thursday after its virtual National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, the association said,”NEC resolved to suspend the ongoing indefinite nationwide strike action from tomorrow 11th of September 2020 by 8am.”
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The association, however, in the communique signed by its president, Dr. Sokomba Aliyu, Secretary General , Dr. Bilqis Muhammad, and Publicity/Social Secretary, Dr. Egbogu Stanley, said local chapters where the conditions of service have not improved should continue with the industrial action at the respective states until their demands are met.
NARD had commenced an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday, September 7th over nonpayment of the Medical Residency Training funding to all her members as approved in the revised 2020 budget, and provision of genuine group life insurance and death in service benefits for all health workers, among others.
The communique said the national executive council resolved to suspend the strike because it noted the commitment of the federal government to procure Group life insurance.
The NEC also noted the inclusion of the 2020 Medical Residency Training funding in the revised 2020 budget and the promise of the federal government to effect payment within two weeks.
The resident doctors also said the government has approved the release of N8.9 billion to offset the outstanding balance of April/May and June COVID-19 hazard inducement allowance to all health workers.
While thanking President Buhari and Nigerians for standing with them during the period of the industrial disharmony, the resident doctors
called on relevant stakeholders to ensure government kept its own side of the bargain.
