Strike: Resident Doctors Sign MoU With FG Over Demands

In an effort to terminate the continuing strike, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Government.

After their 14-day ultimatum passed, NARD began a five-day warning strike on May 17 to urge its demands.

Doctors are asking for an immediate increase in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure of 200 percent of their present gross wages.

The doctors also want urgent mass recruitment of clinical personnel in hospitals and the removal of a measure that would require medical and dental graduates to do five years of obligatory service in Nigeria before being awarded full licenses to practice, among other things.

The doctors met with the Senate Committee on Health, the House Committee on Health, and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, on Friday to discuss their requests.

According to NARD, the deadlines specified in the MoU will be decided by its National Executive Council.

Dr. Emeka Orji, President of the NARD, informed our correspondent on Saturday morning, “We have heard the government’s position, and we have told them our position, and we discussed.” They informed us what they could and couldn’t accomplish, as well as why they couldn’t do those things on time, and we signed.

“So we will take back what the government offered to the NEC to accept or reject it and give further directives. Part of the MoU is that NARD will call its NEC in the next 48 hours and brief them on the outcome for them to decide.”

Meanwhile, the strike, which began on Wednesday, continued on Saturday, causing medical services in government hospitals around the country to be disrupted.