Resident doctors across the country have suspended their planned resumption of strike, following what the leadership of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) described as firm commitments from the Federal Government and the direct intervention of Vice-President Kashim Shettima.
The decision was reached on Sunday during a virtual emergency meeting of the association’s National Executive Council, where members reviewed the status of their demands and the progress made through engagements with government agencies.
NARD’s Secretary-General, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim, said the suspension of the proposed industrial action, code-named TICS 2.0, was “strategic and conditional”, stressing that the association had not abandoned its demands.
He explained that the doctors resolved to give the government time to demonstrate concrete implementation of agreed resolutions before their next NEC meeting scheduled for January 25.
Ibrahim said, “Based on firm commitments from critical stakeholders and the direct presidential intervention led by the Vice-President on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, the NEC unanimously resolved to suspend the resumption of TICS 2.0. This is not a retreat from our demands but a deliberate window to assess tangible progress.”
According to him, the meeting reviewed all outstanding issues affecting resident doctors, noting that progress had been recorded in several areas.
On the crisis at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, Ibrahim said the report of the committee earlier set up by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had been implemented.
He added that a new reconciliation committee comprising chief medical directors, the ministry and NARD had been constituted to ensure lasting peace and prevent a relapse of the crisis.
He disclosed that verified lists of doctors owed 25 and 35 per cent CONMESS arrears had been forwarded to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, adding that the Ministry of Labour and Employment had formally written the Ministry of Finance to facilitate payment.
“We are not relenting. NARD will continue close follow-up to ensure that these arrears are paid without further delay,” he said.
Ibrahim also said progress had been made on the payment of outstanding accoutrement allowances, promotion and salary arrears, noting that relevant documents had been transmitted to the Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office.
On skipping and entry-level placement, he said the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation had clarified CONMESS 3 as the recognised entry point, with a formal communication expected to be sent to hospital chief executives.
He added that a multi-stakeholder committee had been set up to address locum practice and work-hour regulation, while steps were also being taken towards full implementation of specialist allowances and improved welfare for house officers.
The NARD scribe further said the association would work with state and private health facilities to ensure that gains recorded at the federal level were replicated nationwide.
Ibrahim expressed appreciation to resident doctors nationwide and key stakeholders for their support, saying the association remained hopeful that the Vice-President’s intervention would lead to a lasting resolution of the challenges confronting Nigeria’s health sector.
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