The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors says it (NARD) has suspended its nationwide strike and that its 10,000 members will resume work in the nation’s Teaching Hospitals on Saturday.
Innocent Orji, national president of NARD disclosed this on Friday evening.
Orji said the strike would come up for review in two weeks.
NARD had days ago suspended its planned nationwide protest and picketing of government establishments aimed at attracting more visibility and sympathy to the plight of doctors.
Orji said the doctors were petitioning for eight reliefs from government. These, he said include the recruitment of more doctors to replace those who have migrated or have otherwise moved on.
“Our members are suffering. Nigerians are suffering too. When you don’t have the right number of doctors in the hospital, there is no way it is not going to affect the healthcare service delivery system. And nobody has come out to tell us that what we are saying is not true,” he maintained.
“The government on its own set up a ministerial committee that came up with a guideline since February this year. Why hasn’t that guideline been circularised?” he asked.
He said government was insensitive to the plight and working conditions of the healthcare workers.
He said the doctors’ complaints included poor wages and allowances, staff shortages, a poor working environment and the failure of government to meet promises made, documented and binding.
