The National Association of Resident Doctors has suspended its planned strike after reaching an understanding with the Federal Government over key welfare and payment concerns.
The decision was reached at an emergency National Executive Council meeting, where the association reviewed fresh commitments from government representatives and agreed to give negotiations another chance.
According to the association, the suspension followed progress in talks, especially on the payment of outstanding salary arrears, hazard allowances, and steps toward resolving issues linked to the Medical Residency Training Fund.
While the dispute has not been fully resolved, the doctors said the government showed renewed willingness to address the concerns that prompted the strike threat. These concerns include irregular salary payments, inadequate allowances, and broader welfare issues affecting resident doctors across the country.
The association also directed its members nationwide to resume work by 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
At the centre of the dispute is the implementation of a revised Professional Allowance Table earlier agreed upon between both parties after a prolonged industrial action in 2025. The agreement included improved remuneration packages covering call duty allowances, shift allowances, rural posting incentives, and non-clinical duty payments.
Although the implementation was expected to begin in January 2026, it was delayed until February. Concerns later emerged over an alleged plan to halt the process by April, a development the association said would undermine trust and violate previous agreements.
The recurring standoff between resident doctors and the government has remained a major challenge in Nigeria’s health sector, contributing to frustration among medical professionals and worsening the migration of doctors abroad in search of better opportunities.
Post comments (0)