The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors had prior to the protest begun an indefinite strike on July 26
The planned nationwide protest by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), earlier scheduled for today, Wednesday, August 9, has been shelved after a meeting with the Senate.
This was announced by the national president of the association, Dr Emeka Innocent Orji, while briefing journalists on Tuesday after the union met with Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other principal officers of the senate at the National Assembly complex, Abuja.
NARD had planned to embark on peaceful protests and picket the Federal Ministry of Health, the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, and the federal and state tertiary health institutions in the country.
But according to DAILY POST, the resident doctors have now canceled the protest and may likely call off their ongoing strike soon.
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Prior to this development, NARD had embarked on an indefinite strike on July 26, 2023, following the expiration of a two-week ultimatum issued to the government to meet its demands.
The doctors, among others, are demanding the implementation of the one-for-one replacement policy for healthcare workers; the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to discontinue the downgrading of the membership certificate issued by the West African Postgraduate Medical and Surgical Colleges; the immediate payment of all salary arrears; the implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure; a new hazard allowance; and the domestication of the Medical Residency Training Act.
Orji after meeting with the Senate leadership said that from their discussions, they were very hopeful that when they table their discussions before the NEC, something positive would come out.
He said, “From our interaction with the President of the Senate and the practical demonstration he did before us today, we are very confident that there will be light at the end of the tunnel in the next 24 hours.”
He stated that following Akpabio’s intervention and the assurance given to them, the planned national protest had been cancelled, while the decision on the ongoing strike would be taken as soon as they meet.
Senator Akpabio on his part, thanked the medical doctors for honouring the Senate.
He assured that their demands were well noted, adding that as soon as a Minister in charge of Health is appointed, the Senate would work to expeditiously address all their grievances.
