The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) industrial strike action which began about seventeen days ago following the failure of the Nigerian government to meet the association’s demands has now been put to a halt.The demands continue to be the immediate payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) for 2023, the “upward review” of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), the payment of all salary arrears owed to its members since 2015, the hiring of clinical staff in hospitals, the elimination of bureaucratic restrictions on the immediate replacement of doctors and nurses who leave the system, and finally a review of hazard allowance by all the state governments.
The past two weeks have been conflicting and torturous for federal hospitals, patients, consultant doctors and medical students due to the fact that the resident doctors constitute the majority of medical personnel as well as guides for the students. Thankfully, following the suspension, all residents were ordered to resume work immediately on Saturday the 12th by 8:00 am.
As for the demands, the president of NARD, Mr Emeka Orji, said the strike was suspended due to notable moves by the federal government to address the demands. “We also observed that the federal government has approved the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), and has started work on the circular on one-for-one replacement,” Mr Orji said.
The association was advised to give the government two weeks to finalize its solutions. They decided to start working again during this time while continuing to keep an eye on the federal government’s development.
Osaretin Vanessa Ehiorobo
