health馃嚦馃嚞 Nigeria
Resident doctors to suspend planned strike after talks with Gbajabiamila
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors NARD is expected to suspend its planned strike following a three-hour meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, at the Presidential Villa. Dr. Muhammad Suleiman, President of NARD, stated that the delegation and the Federal Government agreed on specific timelines to resolve outstanding salary, promotion, and allowance disputes. The meeting, convened by Gbajabiamila, included Ministers of Labour, Health, and Finance, among other officials. Dr. Suleiman confirmed that firm commitments were secured on nearly all outstanding issues, though a formal announcement of the strike's suspension awaits consultation with NARD's National Executive Council. Discussions also covered delayed salaries for house officers, with a standing order issued for payments before the 10th of each month, and the acceleration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Additionally, the escalating violence against health workers was addressed, with the Ministry of Health set to issue directives for increased security and public education. Gbajabiamila also committed to driving legislative reform to make assault on health workers an aggravated offense. The long-running dispute over unpaid hazard and specialist allowance arrears, dating back seven years, was also discussed, with the Budget Office expected to provide a payment timeline for the remaining 19-month gap.
