Federal Government has reached an agreement with the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, on some of the major issues that led to the threat of a nationwide indefinite strike.
The association had planned to commence industrial action from August 10 over outstanding salary arrears, promotion issues, welfare concerns and other unresolved demands.
The meeting, convened by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, brought together officials from the Federal Ministries of Health, Labour and Employment, Finance, the Budget Office of the Federation, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, IPPIS and other relevant agencies.
NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, said the intervention has produced concrete timelines for resolving the concerns of resident doctors.
He said agreements were reached on salary and promotion arrears, with relevant government agencies expected to commence implementation within one week.
The NARD President also said that the government has agreed that house officers should receive their salaries before the 10th day of every month to prevent delays.
On the outstanding professional allowance arrears, Dr. Suleiman said discussions revealed that the amount involved was lower than initially projected, adding that the government is expected to provide a timeline for payment.
He said the Collective Bargaining Agreement between doctors and government was also discussed, with the Federal Ministries of Health and Labour directed to accelerate the process to enable proper budgetary provisions.
The meeting also addressed concerns over attacks on healthcare workers.
According to NARD, 31 doctors and more than 20 other health workers have been assaulted in the last 10 months.
Dr. Mohammad said the Federal Ministry of Health will issue directives to hospitals to improve security and create safer working environments, while the Chief of Staff has committed to supporting legislation that will make assault on health workers an aggravated offence.
However, NARD says it has not officially called off its planned strike. The association says it will present the outcome of the meeting to its National Executive Council, which will decide on the next line of action.
The planned strike was scheduled to begin on August 10 if the Federal Government failed to address the outstanding concerns of Resident Doctors.
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(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
