Doctor’s strike to end as NARD Agrees with Federal Government

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Friday agreed with the Government to end their ongoing strike.

NARD embarked on strike on 31st March 2021 due to Non-payment and no recruitment of House Officers, abolishment of the Bench fees, non-payment of national minimum Wage Consequential Adjustment Arrears, residency training and hazard allowance and payment of Resident Doctors on Government Integrated Financial Management Information System Platform.

However, these issues tabled by NARD were resolved and an agreement reached during a Nine hours conciliation meeting with the Minister of labour and other key Agencies on Friday.

At the meeting, a Memorandum of Action MOA was agreed and signed by both parties which led to the agreement of the striking doctors to end the strike.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige Who headed the meeting stated that it was discovered that payments of the House Officers’ salaries experienced Irregularities as double payments were made to some House Officers in some centres and few have not been paid as of date.

According to him, a five-man committee was set up to harmonize the list of the names submitted by NARD Chairman and the committee of Chief Medical Directors within 72 hrs.

The Minister said that 558 people who were not resident doctors were wrongly paid, and bonafide 1003 resident doctors were not paid, adding that those who were not paid will be captured in the supplementary budget.

Outlining the agreements on the Memorandum of Action, the Minister said every relevant agency must work within the stipulated timeline.

The president Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, Dr. Okhaihesuyi Uyulawa at the meeting stated that the signed Memorandum of Action will be taken to the Union and promised that the strike would be called off soon.

The General Secretary of Nigeria Medical Association, Ekpa Philip pleaded with the minister of labour and employment to use his good offices to fasten the implementation of the MOA.

He said the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors was satisfied with the agreement and the strike will likely end as promised by the association.