The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors on Sunday shifted its decision on the ultimatum it issued to the Federal Government by two weeks.
NARD reached this decision during the scheduled extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, which lasted Saturday night.
In a communique dated August 21, NARD President, Dr. Dare Ishaya, said the decision was to give room for intervention by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
“The E-NEC resolves to further extend our ultimatum by another two weeks after observing the Federal Government’s efforts as a show of goodwill from NARD,” the communique read.
“This we believe will give the Federal Government adequate time to substantiate their efforts with results which will avert industrial disharmony.”
NARD had on July 30, issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to implement all the agreements it had with the association or it would embark on an indefinite strike.
Their demands include the payment of the newly-reviewed Medical Residency Training Fund; the immediate implementation and payment of the new hazard allowance and arrears among several others.
NARD had at the expiration of the ultimatum on August 14, shifted its decision till after its extraordinary NEC meeting.
It is hopeful that the shift in the ultimatum will enable the Federal Government to address the resident doctors’ concerns to avert a crisis in the nation’s health sector.
Olusola Bello