THE Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Government in an effort to terminate the continuing strike.
NARD began a five-day warning strike on May 17 to press home its demands after their 14-day ultimatum elapsed.
Doctors are requesting 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, yesterday to discuss their requests.
According to NARD, the deadlines specified in the MoU will be decided by its National Executive Council.
Speaking with newsmen this morning, the NARD President, Dr Emeka Orji said, “We have heard the position of the government, and we have told them the position of NARD and we discussed. They told us what they can do, and what they cannot do and why they can’t do those things with timelines, 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 started on Wednesday, continues today with medical services hampered in federal hospitals around the country.
