According to Track News, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has delayed its decision on the ultimatum it issued to the Federal Government by one week.
The association stated that it changed its decision to allow for more discussion among the parties involved, particularly with the Federal Ministry of Finance.
According to our sources, the association has planned an extraordinary National Executive Council meeting from Friday, August 19 to Sunday, August 21, 2022, at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital in Ilorin, Kwara State, to discuss the NARD ultimatum.
According to the Track News, if the doctors go on strike, no fewer than 78 federal and state health facilities will be impacted.
The country currently has at least 11,000 resident doctors.
On July 30, 2022, the resident doctors issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to implement all agreements reached with the association or go on indefinite strike.
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Among the demands made by NARD are the payment of the newly reviewed Medical Residency Training Fund, as well as the immediate implementation and payment of the new hazard allowance and arrears.
The ultimatum will expire on August 14, 2022.
However, in an interview with our correspondent on Sunday, NARD President Dr Dare Ishaya stated that the organization would make its final decision on Saturday and brief the media on August 21, 2022.
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“We met with the Minister of State for Health, Joseph Ekumankama,” Ishaya said. We informed him of the events and where we were. He promised to follow up on the hazard allowance and the Medical Residency Training Funds, and he begged us to give him the opportunity to intervene. He stated that he would be willing to follow up with the Finance Ministry.
“For our part, we must schedule a decision-making meeting for Friday (August 19) rather than Monday” (today).