The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has expressed optimism that its planned nationwide strike may be avoided after reaching key agreements with the Federal Government during a high-level meeting held on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The meeting, convened by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, was aimed at resolving the doctors’ grievances before the Aug. 10 strike deadline. According to NARD President, Dr Mohammad Suleiman, both parties agreed on timelines to address salary arrears, promotion benefits, professional allowances and the welfare of house officers, raising hopes that industrial action may no longer be necessary.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Suleiman said representatives from the Ministries of Health, Labour and Finance, the Budget Office, the Office of the Accountant-General, the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), and other government agencies participated in the discussions.
He said the meeting produced concrete timelines for resolving the issues raised by the association.
“Today, I can tell you our matters are solved. Solved in the sense that timelines have been agreed upon by various agencies of government on salary and promotion arrears,” Suleiman said.
According to him, the Federal Government agreed to resolve outstanding salary-related issues, including those affecting resident doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), within one week.
Suleiman also disclosed that the government had directed that house officers’ salaries should be paid promptly every month.
“He has given a standing order that before the 10th of every month, salaries of house officers must be paid,” he said.
The NARD president further said discussions covered the payment of 19 months of outstanding arrears resulting from the adjustment of professional allowances approved by the government.
He added that the Ministries of Labour and Health had agreed to fast-track the completion of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) so that agreed provisions could be included in next year’s budget.
Suleiman also raised concerns over the increasing attacks on health workers, revealing that 31 doctors and more than 20 other health personnel had been assaulted in the last 10 months.
According to him, the Federal Ministry of Health agreed to direct hospitals to strengthen security measures and provide safer working environments for healthcare workers.
He also said Gbajabiamila had pledged to push for legislation that would make assaults on health workers an aggravated offence.
“The Chief of Staff has taken it upon himself to introduce legislation so that assault on health workers will become an aggravated offence,” Suleiman said.
On whether the planned nationwide strike had been suspended, Suleiman said the association would first brief its National Executive Council (NEC) before making a final decision.
“I can’t stand here and tell you I have called off a strike. I have to report back to my National Executive Council and we will make a decision,” he said.
He, however, expressed confidence in the Chief of Staff’s intervention, noting that previous engagements led by Gbajabiamila had produced positive outcomes for resident doctors.
Earlier, Gbajabiamila said the meeting was convened to prevent the planned strike and ensure uninterrupted healthcare services across the country.
“At no time in any country’s life does a country need any strike because health is perhaps one of the most critical sectors that affects everybody,” he said.
Also speaking, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said the Federal Government remained committed to resolving the doctors’ concerns through dialogue.
“We have worked extremely hard to ensure we maintain relative peace in a very fractured sector,” Pate said.
NARD had earlier given the Federal Government until Aug. 10 to implement the terms of a previously signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) or face a nationwide strike.
