By Ghazali Ibrahim
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned nationwide strike after reaching an agreement with the Federal Government during a meeting led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Speaking after the meeting at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday, NARD President, Dr. Muhammad Suleiman, said both parties agreed on timelines to resolve key issues, including salary arrears, promotions, allowances and delayed payments for house officers.
Suleiman said the Presidency also directed that house officers’ salaries be paid before the 10th of every month and pledged to speed up negotiations on the doctors’ collective bargaining agreement.
The association also raised concerns over attacks on health workers, with the government promising stronger hospital security and plans to introduce legislation making assaults on health workers a more serious offence.
Although NARD is expected to formally ratify the decision through its National Executive Council, Suleiman expressed confidence that the agreements reached had addressed the issues that prompted the planned August 10 strike.
A Presidency source also confirmed that the doctors had assured the government the strike would be called off.
