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Resident doctors have suspended the nationwide strike they embarked upon 10 days ago.
Their president, National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr. Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, disclosed this yo newsmen on Saturday.
He said: “We suspended the strike about one hour ago. We are responsible to Nigerians, the government has acceded to some demands.”
According to him, the strike was suspended after meetings with various stakeholders in the health sector.
The doctors commenced “a total and indefinite strike” on April 1, 2021, following the failure of the Federal Government to accede to its demands.
The strike action was the outcome of its Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held on Saturday, March 27, 2021, at the Trauma Center of National Hospital Abuja to review its earlier ultimatum and deliberate on burning issues affecting residency training, healthcare delivery and welfare.
The communique of the NEC attended by over 50 chapters of NARD was signed by its President, Dr. Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi; Secretary-General, Dr. Jerry Isogun and Publicity/Social Secretary, Dr. Dotun Osikoya.
“The NEC unanimously agreed that NARD should proceed on a total and indefinite strike on April 1 2021, by 8am if our demands are not met,” the communique stated.
Among other issues, NARD was demanding immediate payment of all salaries owed to all house officers including March salaries (regardless of quota system) before the end of on March 31 2021.