By; AMOS TAUNA, Kaduna
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), has following the intervention of the Senate, cancelled its planned nationwide protest, billed to take place today, August 9, 2023.
The resident doctors also are likely to call off their ongoing strike soon.
The National President of the association, Dr Emeka Innocent Orji, made the cancellation while briefing newsmen on Tuesday after meeting behind closed doors with Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other Principal Officers of the Senate at the National Assembly, Abuja.
NARD planned to embark on peaceful protests from today and picket the Federal Ministry of Health, the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, and the federal and state tertiary health institutions in the country.
The doctors, among others, are demanding the implementation of the one-for-one replacement policy for healthcare workers; the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to discontinue the downgrading of the membership certificate issued by the West African Postgraduate Medical and Surgical Colleges; the immediate payment of all salary arrears; the implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure; a new hazard allowance; and the domestication of the Medical Residency Training Act.
Dr Orji after meeting with the Senate leadership, said that from their discussions, they are very hopeful that when they table their discussions before the NEC, something positive would come out.
He assured, “From our interaction with the President of the Senate and the practical demonstration he did before us today, we are very confident that there would be light at the end of the tunnel in the next 24 hours.”
He stated that following the intervention of the President of the Senate and the assurance given to them, their planned national protest has been cancelled while the decision on the ongoing strike would be taken as soon as they meet.
