Members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have suspended their indefinite nationwide strike after reaching an agreement with the federal government.
On November 1, Mohammad Suleiman, the NARD president, announced that the association has commenced a nationwide “total, comprehensive, and indefinite” strike.
The doctors were demanding fair remuneration, payment of salary arrears, improved working conditions, adequate staffing, and the provision of essential medical infrastructure.
Their concerns also include excessive workloads, which they said directly affect the quality of healthcare delivered to Nigerians.
In a post shared on his X handle on Saturday, Suleiman confirmed the suspension of the strike.
“The National Executive Council of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has resolved to suspend the ongoing total, indefinite and comprehensive strike action,” he wrote.
He said the suspension of the industrial action follows a series of conciliatory meetings with the federal government and the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that details the state of the 19-point demand of the association.
The NARD president listed outstanding issues to include the promotion arrears, noting that compilation has not been completed by chief medical directors and/or medical directors (CMDs/MDs).
He added that the deadline for the payment of the promotion arrears is in four weeks.
On salary arrears, he said the deadline for the payment is four weeks, noting that the office of the head of the civil service of the federation (OHCSF) has provided a clear directive on the specialist allowance, with implementation to be handled by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC).
He said a committee has recommended the reabsorption of the “Lokoja 5” into the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, with full implementation expected within two weeks.
He outlined the highlights of the MoU, including the ongoing processes for the payment of the 25 and 35 percent allowances and the accoutrement allowance.
