News

 The National Association of Resident Doctors suspends strike, gives FG four weeks ultimatum

 

On the 11th April, 2021, the Nation Newspaper reported the suspension of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) strike which started on the 1st of April, 2021.

The President of the association, Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, told the Nations on Saturday that the association decided to call off the strike for four weeks due to the positive responses gotten from the government during their negotiation.

The government had set up a committee to remove all irregularities in the way of the resident doctors payment and the committee is making efforts to put an end to the payment issue between the federal government and the Association.

According to Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, who was also present at the meeting, "the meeting agreed to set up the committee after noting that the payment of House Officers' salaries experienced some irregularities as double payments were made to some officers in some centres, while a few have not been paid as of date".

He stated that the five-man committee drawn from Federal Ministry of Health, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, IPPIS, Nigerian Medical Association, NARD and Committee of Chief Medical Directors, was given 72 hours from Saturday, 10th April to give the valid list of names of House Officers to IPPIS through the Federal Ministry of Health.

The President of the Association disclosed that the government are in the process of working out a better hazard allowance arrangements for all health workers in the country. This agreement was signed in July, 2020.

In order to achieve this aim, the Presidential Committee on Salaries (PCS) would meet on the 12th of April,2021, with National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to examine the issue.

Other issues such as residency training allowance, abolishment of the bench fees, group life insurance payment and payment of residents on GIFMIS platform were also discussed.

 

Deevah