Nigeria: Resident Doctors, Govt Enter Into Truce to Suspend Planned Strike

In a recent meeting held at the Presidential Villa, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) announced its decision to suspend the planned strike. The meeting, which lasted for about three hours, included the presence of various government officials such as the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, the coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, and the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Taiwo Oyedele.

After the meeting, NARD President, Dr. Muhammad Suleiman, confirmed that the issues were practically resolved, as they secured commitments on nearly every outstanding issue. These issues included salary disputes, promotion, and allowance discrepancies that had led to the association's brink of industrial action. The NARD President emphasized that the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, has intervened in similar situations in the past and has always resolved matters favorably.

Specific timelines have been agreed upon for resolving salary and promotion issues, with a week for implementation, and a figure has been agreed upon for the meal issue at LUTH. Additionally, a standing directive has been issued to ensure that house officers receive their previous month's salaries by the 10th of every month. The Collective Bargaining Agreement between NARD and the federal government has been accelerated, with the Presidency charging the Ministries of Labour and Employment and Health to complete it.

The Ministry of Health is also expected to release directives to beef up security and create safe spaces in hospitals, as well as engage in public education to prevent assaults on health workers. The NARD President expressed optimism that the intervention by the Chief of Staff will lead to legislative reform to make assault on health workers an aggravated offence.

The association is still deliberating on the final decision regarding the strike, but Dr. Suleiman stated that he has confidence that the intervention will address the issues favorably.