The federal government and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) reached new agreements today, 21 August.
The government has agreed to pay N4.8bn Residency Training Fund to NARD in the next seven days and also clear the arrears of the consequential adjustment of the National Minimum Wage from April when the bill was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, The Nation reports.
The government, through the Federal Ministry of Health, also said it has forwarded a list from 38 hospitals to the Budget office for inclusion in the Service Wide Vote.
The agreement may have laid the foundation for the peaceful resolution of the ongoing strike by NARD which commenced on August 1, 2021.
A Memorandum of Action is expected to be signed by all parties involved in the discussion.
The truce was brokered following the intervention of the leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association led by Prof Innocent Uja.
At a Friday renewed meeting, all the consolidated 12-point demands by NARD, the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), and other affiliates of NMA were resolved.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige said the government resumed discussion with the striking doctors at the instance of President Buhari.
Ngige commended Ujah for assuming his role as the leader of all doctors in Nigeria, saying all affiliate doctors’ associations are under the NMA.
The Minister said: “When you talk to the children and they don’t listen well, you talk to their parents.
“The standing agreement that every negotiation by affiliate associations must be led by the NMA was not observed in the recent past. I, therefore, commend Ujah for assuming his role as the father of all doctors. I want you to play this role effectively and efficiently.”
He insisted the present administration has made more investment in the health sector and dismissed insinuations the non-keeping of agreements by the Federal Government was at the root of incessant doctors’ strike.
The Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, urged the doctors to end their strike in the interest of the nation as the government tackles their demands.
President of NMA, Prof Uja said the strike was avoidable and blamed some government functionaries for not playing their roles.
He said: “As doctors, we are trained to prevent disease, cure illnesses and promote health but not trained to go on strike,” and regretted that circumstances forced the doctors otherwise.
He commended Senator Ngige for going the extra mile to ensure that officers across Ministries and agencies who are relevant to tackling the doctors’ demands are put on their toes.
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