Doctors suspend strike as FG releases N13.6bn for allowances, others

 

BY NICHOLAS ABE

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The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its indefinite strike which started on June 15.

This followed the announcement Sunday that the federal government has released N13.642 billion for the payment of hazard allowances and group life insurance for health workers and federal civil servants nationwide.

NARD President, Dr Aliyu Sokomba, announced the suspension of the strike while addressing a news conference on Sunday in Abuja.

“NEC has resolved to suspend the ongoing indefinite strike with effect from Monday June 22, 2020 by 8a.m., prompt.

“The national officers shall continue negotiations with stakeholders and progress made shall be reviewed in four weeks during the next National Executive Council meeting in July 2020.

“The decision to suspend the strike was taken in order to give the Federal and State Governments time to fulfil the outstanding demands following an appeal by the Speaker of House of Representative, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chairman Nigeria Governors Forum and other stakeholder,” Solomba said.

He acknowledged the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) in some hospitals but said there were still need for sustained supplies.

The president also announced that the Medical Residency Training fund had been included in the revised 2020 budget through the intervention of Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila and would be implemented as soon as the budget was assented to by the President.

He, however, gave the Federal Government four weeks to make good its promises.

“At the same time, we await the fulfilment of the promise made by the Nigeria Governors Forum to ensure same is done in all the states.

“On the salary shortfall for 2014-2016, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation has promised to intervene.

“Government has shown commitment to secure group life insurance for health workers. That the disengaged resident doctors at Jos University Teaching Hospital have been reinstated, the Chief Medical Director has been directed to pay their withheld salaries and comply with the provisions of the Medical Residency.

READ: FG to pay health workers hazard allowance

“On State Tertiary Health Institutions (STHIs), the Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum Gov. Kayode Fayemi and the Director General Mr Asishana Okauru, appealed to be given time to discuss with other state Governors.

“The governors are those of Kogi, Gombe, Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Enugu, Anabara, Abia and Imo for immediate pay parity with the corrected CONMESS of 2019 and that salary shortfalls due our members will be paid shortly.

“NARD also met with Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo state who also gave his words to favourably look into all challenges of our members in LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso with a view to abiding by the international standard.

“That the Executive Governors of Delta and Benue from reports by our members have been supportive although more needs to be done.

“NEC observed that COVID-19 inducement allowance has only been paid to 11 federal health institutions and most state governments are yet to review the hazard allowance of health workers,” he said.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, disclosed the release of the fund at a joint briefing in Abuja with the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire and the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige.

The Federal Government also said it has trained over 33,000 workers in the country on how to manage the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mohammed said: “It is pertinent to say that the issues raised by the Association, while issuing its ultimatum on June 1st, have received or are receiving full attention.

“We have also begun the Group Life Insurance, totalling N9 billion, for all health workers and Federal civil servants. We have paid to 14 insurance companies.”