NARD Ends Nationwide Warning Strike

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has ended its five-day nationwide warning strike and instructed its members to resume work on Monday.

Following a three-hour Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting, NARD announced that it would evaluate the Federal Government’s commitment to resolving the issues within the next two weeks.

Last Friday, the association signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Government to address the concerns raised by the resident doctors.

However, NARD stated that they would review the strike in two weeks, taking into account the government’s actions during that time.

As a reminder, NARD initiated the nationwide strike on May 17 to emphasize their demands to the Federal Government.

Among their requests are the immediate recruitment of clinical staff in hospitals, the withdrawal of a bill that mandates medical and dental graduates to serve five years in Nigeria before obtaining full licenses, and the urgent improvement of hospital infrastructure, with at least 15 percent of the budgetary provisions allocated to the health sector, in accordance with the 2001 Abuja declaration.

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In addition, NARD is demanding the prompt payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund, as agreed upon during the stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Federal Ministry of Health on February 15, 2023.

They are also calling for a 200 percent increase in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for doctors, in addition to the allowances mentioned in the letter addressed to the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, on July 7, 2022.

Dr. Emeka Orji, the President of NARD, confirmed to newsmen that “the strike has been suspended and work is set to resume at 8 am on Monday.”

He mentioned that “the association would review the progress made regarding their demands during their ordinary general meeting in Lagos.”

On his part, Dr. Umar Usman, the Publicity and Social Secretary of NARD, stated that prior to the strike, a National Executive Council meeting was held, where the council provided their support.

It was agreed that the strike would last for five days, and at the conclusion, an assessment of progress made would be conducted.

“Therefore, as agreed, NARD will resume work tomorrow, taking into account the signed Memorandum of Understanding with the government, which includes specific timelines for addressing the raised issues. The association will thoroughly assess the commitments made and evaluate the progress achieved.”