December 01, (THEWILL) — After nearly four weeks of disrupted healthcare services across Nigeria, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its nationwide strike, bringing relief to patients and hospitals struggling with limited services.
The suspension followed an extraordinary National Executive Council meeting, during which NARD reviewed the Federal Government’s response to its demands.
The association announced that it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government, prompting the temporary halt of the industrial action.
The MoU addresses seven key issues raised by the doctors.
NARD confirmed that two of these demands have already been implemented, while the remaining five, including the reinstatement of doctors in Lokoja, payment of outstanding arrears, career upgrades for eligible doctors, implementation of a specialist allowance, and issuance of Membership Certificates, are to be resolved within the next four weeks.
The development comes after President Bola Tinubu reportedly instructed that the dispute with resident doctors be ended “as soon as practicable.”
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Adekunle Salako, said the President had directed the Ministry to take “every legitimate step to restore health services nationwide.”
NARD added that while the strike has been suspended, it will closely monitor the government’s compliance with the agreed timelines, emphasising its commitment to both the welfare of its members and the stability of Nigeria’s healthcare system.
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