The Federal Government has appealed to striking members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to call off their ongoing industrial action, saying that about 60 per cent of their outstanding arrears have been settled.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, urged the doctors to return to work while discussions continue to resolve the remaining issues.
Dr. Salako acknowledged the impact of the strike on healthcare delivery nationwide, emphasizing that the government has shown commitment to improving the welfare of medical professionals.
“We have cleared about 60 per cent of the arrears owed to health workers and are making progress on the remaining demands,” he said.
The minister appealed to the resident doctors to consider the suffering of patients across the country and suspend the industrial action in the interest of public health.
However, NARD President, Dr. Mohammed Suleiman, maintained that the strike would continue until all outstanding issues were comprehensively addressed through further dialogue.
“We need a holistic solution, not piecemeal promises. Until every issue is resolved, the strike will go on,” he stated.
The association had on Saturday commenced what it described as a “total, comprehensive, and indefinite” strike over long-standing welfare concerns.
Among NARD’s unresolved demands are unpaid arrears and allowances, including the 25/35 percent CONMESS review, promotion arrears, upgrade arrears, and accoutrement allowance some pending for over five years.
The group said these demands were essential to sustaining the nation’s healthcare system and ensuring fair treatment of medical workers.
In response, the Federal Government announced plans to release ₦11.99 billion within 72 hours to settle part of the salary and allowance arrears owed to medical professionals nationwide.
Dr. Salako assured that the ministry remained open to dialogue and was working closely with the Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office to meet the remaining obligations.
