The National Association of Resident Doctors on Sunday announced the suspension of its strike with effect from Monday, June 22, 2020.
The organisation said it took the decision in order to enable the government time to fulfil outstanding demands following an appeal by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and other stakeholders.
NARD made the announcement in a communique read to journalists by its President, Dr Aliyu Sokomba, on Sunday in Abuja after its National Executive Council meeting attended by over 300 members.
The suspension comes days after the Federal Government had settled hazard and inducement allowances worth about N4.5 billion to the 31 teaching hospitals and federal medical centres across the country.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, disclosed this after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday.
The meeting was over the ongoing strike by resident doctors in the country.
Flanked by his Health counterpart, Dr Osagie Ehanire and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, he said the money is for arrears of April and May.
Ngige stated: “Just this morning before we went to see the president, the Ministry of Finance reported that as of this morning, 3.00 a.m., they have paid the allowances for hazard and inducement to 31 teaching hospitals and Federal Medical Centres and special hospitals of the federal government service and they have expended close to N4.5 billion in the payment because we are paying them the arrears of April and May.
“The payment for June will also be done immediately these ones are sorted out.
“Again, it’s important to report to you that in consonance with what he Health Minister) is saying, we have arranged a meeting for them (striking resident doctors) to speak to the Nigerian Governors’ Forum because you don’t mix apples and oranges.
“The issue of health is on the concurrent list. So, the Federal Government will do its own and the state government will be expected to do their own.
“Some of their grievances border on what they feel the state governments have not done.”
