Speaker Abbas begs resident doctors not to go on strike

Speaker Abbas begs resident doctors not to go on strike 

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has pleaded with the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to suspend its planned strike.

He made the call at a meeting between the leadership of the House and NARD in Abuja on Monday.

He said, “I would urge you to suspend the impending industrial action while we intervene, and seek your understanding of the fact that a new administration just came on board.”

Abbas said NARD’s decision to meet with the Reps leadership was an affirmation of their faith and confidence in the House’s capacity to intervene and resolve the lingering issues in dispute.

“We are not unmindful of the many sacrifices Resident Doctors have continued to make in the health sector in spite of the many challenges you face and the poor conditions within which you work.

“While many of your colleagues have left the shores of our country in pursuit of better working conditions, you have chosen to remain behind in service to the fatherland,” he said.

Abbas said the lingering issue would be approached with an open mind and guided by the fact that revenues available to the government might not fully meet their demands.

“Therefore, we must find a middle ground that satisfies everyone without prejudice to the 2023 Memorandum of Understanding,” he stated.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NARD demands include payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund, upward review of Consolidated Medical Salary Structure and salary arrears dating back to 2015.