Doctors Suspend Strike Plan After Government Agrees To Timelines
By DIANA CHUKWUKA
FG, Resident Doctors Reach Agreement to Prevent Nationwide Strike
THE Federal Government and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have reached an agreement that has averted a planned nationwide strike scheduled to begin on 10th August.
The breakthrough followed hours of high-level talks at the Presidential Villa in Abuja involving key government officials and the leadership of the association.
High-Level Meeting Produces Breakthrough
The meeting was chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and brought together the Ministers of Labour, Health and Finance, the Director-General of the Budget Office, the Accountant-General of the Federation, representatives of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), Cash Management officials and the NARD executive led by its President, Dr. Mohamed Suleiman.
The discussions focused on resolving grievances that had prompted resident doctors to issue an ultimatum for an indefinite industrial action.
Parties Agree on Timelines
Following the meeting, both sides agreed on a one-week timeline to resolve several outstanding issues.
The agreement covers the payment of call duty allowances for workers at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), salary arrears, promotion arrears and professional allowance matters.
The parties also agreed to accelerate the engagement of additional house officers and ensure that newly employed doctors receive their salaries promptly.
Under the arrangement, house officers are expected to receive their monthly salaries on or before the 10th day of every month.
Government Makes Fresh Commitments
NARD President Mohamed Suleiman welcomed the outcome of the talks, describing the discussions as productive and commending the intervention of the Chief of Staff.
He said the government had made further concessions on outstanding professional allowance issues while relevant agencies had been assigned timelines to complete implementation.
According to him, work will also be accelerated on the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), with any approved financial commitments expected to be reflected in the 2027 budget.
Focus on Doctors’ Safety
Beyond welfare issues, the meeting addressed growing concerns over attacks on healthcare workers.
Suleiman said more than 30 doctors and several other health workers had reportedly been assaulted within the past 10 months.
To address the problem, the Federal Ministry of Health will direct hospitals to strengthen security measures and create safer working environments.
The ministry will also launch public awareness campaigns aimed at discouraging violence against healthcare professionals.
Strike Put on Hold
The agreement effectively suspends the planned nationwide strike while government agencies begin implementing the agreed timelines.
Both parties expressed optimism that the commitments reached during the meeting would improve doctors’ welfare, strengthen industrial harmony and ensure uninterrupted healthcare services across the country.
