Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has deferred its proposed nationwide strike, saying the Federal Government has met more than 50 per cent of its demands.
The National President and Senior Registrar, Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Abia State, Dr. Emeka Innocent Orji, told The Guardian yesterday: “We have deferred any possibility of strike for now. The Federal Government has met two out of our three major demands. They have paid the 2020 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) two weeks ago. They have also released a new circular. We are supposed to have a stakeholders’ meeting tomorrow (today). They have not met our demand for review of Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS). They have, however, set up a committee to address that.”NARD had, in January 2023, petitioned Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, on unresolved issues affecting members.
It had said if the issues were not resolved before its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting scheduled for January 24 to 28, 2023, doctors might embark on a nationwide industrial strike.
The medics said it had issued an ultimatum to the Federal Government six months ago on pending issues affecting its members. The letter was titled: “Imminent nationwide industrial harmony in the health sector: A matter of urgent administrative importance.”
