Breaking: Resident Doctors Extend the Deadline as an Indefinite Strike Approaches

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has decided to extend the Federal Government’s deadline an additional two weeks, according to GIOTV.

The association claimed that it had altered its position and would now permit assistance from the Ministries of Health and Labor & Employment.

This was the conclusion reached during the lengthy Saturday night meeting of the National Executive Council, which was held at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The resident doctors had, on July 30, 2022, issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to implement all the agreements it had with the association or it would embark on an indefinite strike.

NARD’s demands include the payment of the newly-reviewed Medical Residency Training Fund; the immediate implementation and payment of the new hazard allowance and arrears among several others.

NARD, had at the expiration of the ultimatum on August 14, shifted its decision till after its extraordinary NEC meeting.

Speaking with the Punch correspondent on Sunday, the President of NARD, Dr. Dare Ishaya said “The extraordinary NEC resolved that since the Ministry of Health through the Minister of State for Health, Ekumankama Joseph Nkama, has communicated to the Ministry of Finance to release the funds for the payment of the new hazard allowance and the Medical Residency Training Fund, we should give two more weeks to observe and see the rate at which our issues will receive the attention of the authorities concerned.

“After then, we will now make a comprehensive decision. So we are extending our ultimatum by two weeks.