On July 26, resident physicians under the auspices of the Nigerian Association of Resident physicians (NARD) began an indefinite strike.
Its National President, Dr. Innocent Orji, disclosed this via WhatsApp to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
In two weeks, according to him, a review will be conducted.
He stated, “We have just ended the strike.” Work will recommence at 8 a.m. on Saturday, August 12th.
We will evaluate progress in two weeks.
This follows a succession of interventions by various stakeholders urging the association to either initiate the industrial action or suspend it sooner.
Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, on July 24 urged the resident physicians to suspend their strike in order to avert industrial action.
Abbas made the request during a meeting between House leadership and NARD in Abuja.
He said, “I would urge you to suspend the industrial action while we intervene, and I would appreciate your understanding that a new administration has just taken office.”
He added that the administration was still settling in as ministers had not yet assumed their positions.
In addition to the strike, the association intended to picket tertiary health institutions and the Federal Department of Health.
However, as a result of the intervention of the Presidency and the Senate President, the disturbances ceased.
According to NAN, members of the organization went on an indefinite strike to urge their demands.
The demands consist of the immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), the immediate release of the circular on one-for-one replacement, and the immediate payment of skipping arrears.
Others include an upward revision of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) in accordance with the full salary restoration to the 2014 CONMESS value and payment of the arrears of consequential adjustment of the minimum wage to omitted doctors.
The downgrading of the membership certificate by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) was also demanded.
In addition, the association demanded the payment of MRTF, a new hazard allowance, the suspension and implementation of corrected CONMESS in state tertiary health institutions, and the payment of hazard allowance arrears. (NAN)