Doctors set to end strike, sign MoU with FG

Doctors set to end strike, sign MoU with FG

The Federal Government and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have signed an agreement on how to resolve issues that led to the ongoing nationwide doctors’ strike.
There are therefore indications that the doctors may call off their warning strike in the next 48 hours.
This is the result of the reconciliation meeting the association and the Federal Government, represented by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige on Friday.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the FG and the NARD after the meeting.
Earlier, the doctors’ association held a meeting with the National Assembly Joint Health Committee – both the Senate and House of Representatives Committee Chair on Health, and other relevant stakeholders in attendance.
The NARD, however, stressed that the MoU would be taken back to the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NARD, which decide to accept what the government is offering and suspend the strike or extend the ultimatum.
It further said that should the NEC reject what the offer by the government, it would be forced to embark on an indefinite strike.
On April 29, 2023, the association issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to meet its demands. The 14-day ultimatum ended on May 13, 2023.
Wednesday, May 17, the NARD began its five-day warning strike over unmet demands. The warning strike is expected to end on Monday, May 22, at 8am.
The association is demanding among others 200 per cent review of their Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS); payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), issuance of a circular by the House of Representatives jettisoning the bill by Ganiyu Johnson, which seeks to stop young doctors from leaving the country without a five-year service period.