The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Tuesday expressed optimism that its planned nationwide strike could be averted following a meeting with the federal government.
NARD president, Mohammad Suleiman, made this known after a meeting convened by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to address the doctors’ grievances ahead of the August 10 strike deadline.
The meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, was attended by the ministers of health, labour and finance, the director-general of the Budget Office, officials of the Office of the Accountant-General, Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and other relevant agencies.
Mr Suleiman said the meeting produced timelines for resolving key issues, including salary arrears, promotion benefits, professional allowances and the welfare of house officers.
“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,” he said.
According to him, the government agreed to a one-week timeline for resolving outstanding salary-related issues, including those affecting resident doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
He added that a directive had been issued to ensure house officers received their salaries promptly.
“He has given a standing order that before the 10th of every month, salaries of house officers must be paid.”
The NARD president said discussions also covered the payment of 19 months’ outstanding arrears arising from the adjustment of professional allowances approved by government.
“The Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Health will try to fast-track the completion of the CBA so that whatever is agreed can be accommodated in next year’s budget,” he said.
Mr Suleiman also raised concerns over increasing attacks on health workers, revealing that 31 doctors and more than 20 other health personnel had been assaulted in the last 10 months.
He said the Federal Ministry of Health had agreed to issue directives to hospitals to strengthen security and create safer working environments.
“The Chief of Staff has taken it upon himself to introduce legislation so that assault on health workers will become an aggravated offence,” Mr Suleiman said.
On whether the planned strike had been suspended, the NARD president said the association would first brief its National Executive Council before taking 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 take a decision,” he said.
He, however, expressed confidence in the intervention of the chief of staff, noting that previous engagements led by him had produced positive outcomes for resident doctors.
Earlier, Mr Gbajabiamila said the meeting was convened to avert the impending 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 government remained committed to resolving the concerns of resident doctors through dialogue.
“We have worked extremely hard to ensure we maintain relative peace in a very fractured sector,” Mr Pate said.
NARD had earlier given the federal government until August 10 to implement the terms of a previously signed memorandum of understanding or face a nationwide strike.