BY JUMAI NWACHUKWU WITH AGENCY REPORT
THE Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), today, hinted that it may resume its suspended strike if the Federal Government failed to keep to its side of the bargain
Recall that NARD suspended a planned nationwide strike, initially billed to commence yesterday, till January 25. The suspension followed a direct Presidential intervention led by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima and firm commitments from critical stakeholders.
The association said only two out of 19 demands have received meaningful attention, insisting that the government’s figures on the approved arrears were inaccurate.
This comes after the Federal Government announced on Thursday that it had approved the release of N11.995 billion for the payment of outstanding arrears owed to doctors and other health workers within 72 hours, as part of efforts to end the strike and restore industrial harmony in the nation’s healthcare sector.
Shedding more insight into how the decision to suspend the strike was reached, the NARD’s Chairman at the Asaba Specialist Hospital (ASH), Dr. Samuel Okowa, who spoke to The Pointer, said that the decision to suspend the strike was reached after a high-level meeting between the association’s Expanded National Executive Council (E-NEC) and representatives of the Presidency.
He explained that the strike was suspended, rather than called off, out of respect for the President and the Vice President, who intervened on behalf of the Federal Government.
According to him, the industrial action, which began last year, was paused to create room for dialogue and the implementation of agreed measures. He disclosed that resident doctors had presented at least nine key demands to the government, describing them as achievable provided there is genuine political will and commitment.
Dr. Okowa noted that when the President intervenes directly in an industrial dispute, it is customary to give the government the opportunity to demonstrate sincerity. On that basis, the association agreed to a two-week suspension of the strike to allow for consultations and concrete actions to address the issues raised.
He, however, stressed that the suspension does not amount to a total withdrawal of the strike but a temporary measure, pending visible progress by the government. He added that negotiations with the Presidency are expected to resume on January 14, ahead of a crucial National Executive Council (NEC) meeting later in the month.
“A National Executive Council meeting has been scheduled for 25 January in Zaria, where members will collectively review developments and decide whether to continue the suspension, fully resolve the dispute, or resume the strike,” he said.
Dr. Okowa reiterated that even if talks are still ongoing by 25 January, the level of government commitment and the progress recorded would ultimately determine the association’s final decision.
He expressed optimism that the issues could be resolved, noting that this was the first time since the commencement of the strike that the Vice President had personally convened a meeting to address the doctors’ concerns. He added that previous engagements were limited to meetings with the Minister of Health, heads of agencies and other officials.
The resident doctors, he said, believed their demands were reasonable and within the capacity of the government to meet. While acknowledging that full implementation of some agreements may take time, Dr. Okowa noted that clear commitment and initial steps by the government would be enough to sustain industrial peace.
He warned, however, that failure by the government to demonstrate seriousness or take concrete action within the agreed timeline would leave the association with no option but to allow its members to determine the next course of action.
Meanwhile, our correspondent who contacted the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Delta State chapter, Dr. Israel Adaigho, said he was unavailable to comment on the matter.
