The nationwide indefinite strike wey resident doctors plan to start August 10 fit no happen again, as NARD leadership don sit down with top Federal Government officials to settle the plenty wahala wey don dey cause serious disagreement between doctors and government.
The meeting happen for the Presidential Villa on Tuesday and e last for about three hours. Na the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, call the meeting. Ministers of Labour, Health and Finance, Accountant-General of the Federation, Budget Office officials and other top government representatives all gather for the meeting.
After the meeting, NARD President, Dr Muhammad Suleiman, come out talk say: “Today, I can tell you, our matters are solved.”
According to am, government don agree on specific timelines to tackle the different problems wey doctors don dey complain about for a long time, including salary arrears, promotion, allowances and other welfare matters.
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The matter of house officers’ salary also enter the discussion. NARD say junior doctors wey dey undergo their compulsory internship no suppose dey wait tire before dem collect their monthly pay. Government reportedly give standing order say house officers’ salaries must dey paid before the 10th day of every month.
NARD also bring up the issue of unpaid hazard and specialist allowances, some of the arrears wey don pile up for several years.
Another serious matter wey doctors raise na the increasing attack and assault on health workers. NARD reveal say 31 doctors and more than 20 other health workers don face different forms of assault within the last 10 months alone.
Government promise say e go beef up security for hospitals, create safer spaces for health workers and also educate members of the public on why medical workers deserve protection.
Gbajabiamila also reportedly agree to support legislation wey fit make assault against health workers an aggravated offence, meaning anybody wey attack medical workers fit face tougher punishment under the law.
But make nobody jump to conclusion say strike don cancel completely.
NARD President, Dr Suleiman, make am clear say he still need carry the agreements wey dem reach for the meeting go meet NARD’s National Executive Council, NEC. Na there members go sit down, review government’s promises and decide whether to officially suspend the planned strike.
Remember say NARD don earlier warn Federal Government say if the outstanding issues no dey resolved, resident doctors go commence total and indefinite strike from 8am on August 10.
