The National Association of Resident Doctors Tuesday announced the suspension of its planned strike after reaching an understanding with the federal government on key demands.
The demands include payment of outstanding allowances and improvements in doctors’ welfare.
The doctors took the decision after an emergency meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC), which reviewed assurances from government representatives and resolved to give dialogue another chance.
“The NEC, in recognition of the ongoing high-level interventions and as a demonstration of goodwill, hereby suspends the previously declared Total, Indefinite, and Comprehensive Strike action,” the communiqué read.
The association said the suspension was informed by “progress made” in negotiations, particularly commitments on the prompt payment of salary arrears, hazard allowances, and steps taken toward resolving issues surrounding the Medical Residency Training Fund.
It was noted that the association did not declare resolution of the dispute, it however stated that the federal government had shown “renewed willingness” to address the concerns that triggered the strike threat.
“The NEC grants the federal government a two-week ultimatum within which concrete, measurable, and verifiable steps must be taken to address all outstanding demands of the association.
“The NEC reiterates its demands as follows: Immediate reversal of the decision to halt the implementation of the reviewed Professional Allowance Table (PAT);
“Immediate payment of all outstanding promotion arrears and salary arrears owed to resident doctors in affected institutions; Prompt conclusion and disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF); Immediate processing and full payment of the outstanding nineteen (19) months’ arrears of the Professional Allowance.
“The NEC shall reconvene immediately upon expiration of the ultimatum to review the level of compliance and determine further appropriate actions in the best interest of its members. In the event of failure by the Federal Government to meet these demands within the stipulated timeframe, the NEC shall not hesitate to resume the suspended Total, Indefinite, and Comprehensive Strike action without further notice.”
