Hopes of an imminent end of the industrial action by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors have dimmed further, as they have given fresh conditions for them to end their strike that began on August 2, 2021.
The doctors asked the Federal government to pay within 72 hours from Saturday to pay their salary arrears.
To end the strike, NARD said the government must their demands which also include payment of their salaries which were in August and September, withdrawal of the case against it in court, payment of salary arrears and allowances owed its members in state tertiary health institutions.
The doctors made these demands in a communiqué issued at the end of their 41st Annual General Meeting held in Bauchi State on Saturday.
The communiqué was jointly signed by NARD’s President, Dr Okhuaihesuyi Uyilawa, and Secretary General, Jerry Isogun. In it, the doctors decried the Federal Government’s continued failure to accede to their demands,, and restated their resolve to press on with the strike indefinitely “until our minimum demands are met.”
“The AGM, in particular, demanded that the Federal Government should ensure the following urgently for the purpose of restoring normalcy to the health sector:
“Payment of the Medical Residency Training within 72 hours since the money meant for it is available and verification of the list for payment has been completed.
“Payment of the arrears of salaries of our members on GIFMIS platform within 72 hours while the migration process continues.
“Withdrawal of the case against us in court in the interest of peace and payment of our withheld August and September salaries,” they sad.
