The Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended their nationwide strike which had caused serious disruption in healthcare services in parts of the country.
The association has, therefore, directed its members to resume work immediately.
The Resident doctors had commenced strike on Friday morning after the expiration of the 24 – hours additional grace period given by the association after the expiration of its earlier 10-day deadline on September 10.
President of the association, Dr. Tope Osundara, confirmed the suspension of the industrial action on Sunday.
He said the decision of doctors to stop the two-day old strike was sequel to a commitment by the federal government to immediately begin payment of Medical Residency Training Fund, (MRTF) to beneficiaries.
Osundara said “Our strike has been suspended, doctors are to resume work today. Some of our demands have been met. One of them is the payment of Medical Residency Training Fund.mGovt 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”.
Osundara said that other outstanding demands that are not of immediate attention include: Unpaid Arrears, Downgrade of Membership certificate, Manpower shortage, Immediate release of corrected circular on remuneration for doctors from NSIWC.
Resident doctors are also demanding settlement of five months’ arrears from the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review, and other long-standing salary backlog demands.
