NARD Yet to Suspend Planned Strike as Talks With FG Yield Progress

NARD Yet to Suspend Planned Strike as Talks With FG Yield Progress
The association has yet to suspend its planned nationwide strike.
Government pledged improved welfare, timely salaries and stronger protection for health workers.

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has said significant progress has been made in resolving the issues behind its planned nationwide strike scheduled to begin on August 10, but stressed that the industrial action has not been suspended.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that NARD President, Dr Mohammad Suleiman, disclosed this on Tuesday after a meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

According to Suleiman, the discussions addressed key concerns raised by resident doctors, including salary and promotion arrears, allowances, the welfare of house officers and workplace security.

“Today, I can tell you, our matters are solved.

“I can’t stand here and tell you I have called off a strike. What I’ll do, I have the utmost confidence that what he has done today has moved the needle to a very large extent to have solved our matters, and we’ll wait for more,” he said.

Suleiman explained that only the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) could decide whether to suspend the planned strike after reviewing the agreements reached with the Federal Government.

He expressed confidence in Gbajabiamila’s intervention, noting that the presidential aide had consistently helped resolve disputes involving resident doctors.

The NARD president disclosed that the government had agreed on implementation timelines for several issues, including salary and promotion arrears, while the welfare dispute at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), particularly meal related entitlements, is expected to be resolved within one week.

He also revealed that the Presidency had directed that house officers’ salaries be paid before the 10th of every month to prevent payment delays.

NARD Yet to Suspend Planned Strike as Talks With FG Yield Progress

On security, Suleiman said the Federal Ministry of Health would issue directives to hospitals to strengthen security and create safer working environments for health workers, while the Chief of Staff also pledged to support legislation imposing stiffer penalties on individuals who assault medical personnel.