Resident Doctors Suspend Strike, Resume Work Tomorrow

Paul Obi in Abuja

Following several pleas, the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Saturday suspended its ongoing nationwide indefinite strike, urging its members to resume work tomorrow, Monday, June 27.

In a communique issued at the end of an extraordinary national executive council meeting in Abuja, NARD President, Dr. Muhammad Adamu Askira stated that the suspension of the strike was to enable the government implement the agreements reached within the stipulated time frame. While commending the role of the National Assembly in the impasse, specifically, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, NARD explained that it would review the progress of the intervention, at the July NEC scheduled for next month, July 25 – 30.

“In view of the genuine intervention of the Hon. Speaker and other key stakeholders, NARD hereby suspends the ongoing nationwide indefinite strike action so as to enable government implement the agreements reached within the agreed time frame on or before July 14, 2016. Work will resume from Monday 27th June 2016 at 8:am. This is with the view to relieve the impact of the strike on average Nigerians,” the association said.

They observed that “NARD has been on a nationwide strike which has been staggered from a centre-based that started on 9th of June 2016 to a full blown national strike from 20th June 2016. This was to press home our demands on issues confirmed in our earlier ultimatum released from 4th of April 2016. We assure all our members to remain calm as they resume their normal duties and that no one would be victimised for taking part in these struggles”.

The association also commended stakeholders that showed that support throughout the strike period and specifically, the leadership of Nigeria Medical Association NMA), and Medical and Dental Council Association of Nigeria as well as all its branch leaders all over the country for the support, patriotism and leadership.