The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned nationwide indefinite strike and issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to address outstanding demands on doctors’ welfare.The decision was taken at an emergency virtual meeting held Tuesday at 7:45 a.m., following what the association described as high-level interventions from top government officials, including the Vice President and key members of the Federal Executive Council.In a communiqué jointly signed by NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, and Secretary, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, the association said the suspension was a gesture of goodwill in recognition of ongoing negotiations with government representatives.“The NEC, in recognition of ongoing high-level interventions and as a demonstration of goodwill, hereby suspends the previously declared total, indefinite and comprehensive strike action,” the statement read.However, the doctors warned that the suspension is temporary, stressing that the Federal Government must take concrete and measurable steps within two weeks or face an immediate resumption of industrial action.“The NEC grants the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum within which concrete, measurable and verifiable steps must be taken to address all outstanding demands,” it added.NARD said it noted the involvement of key officials, including the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, the Minister of Labour and Employment, the Coordinating Minister of Finance, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, describing the engagement as a positive signal toward resolving the crisis.Despite this, the association maintained that several issues remain unresolved, including delayed salary arrears, promotion arrears, and the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).It also condemned the 19-month backlog of Professional Allowance arrears and demanded the immediate reversal of the suspension of the reviewed Professional Allowance Table (PAT), alongside full payment of all outstanding entitlements.“The NEC reiterates its demands, including immediate reversal of the decision to halt the implementation of the reviewed PAT and payment of all outstanding arrears owed to resident doctors,” the communiqué stated.The association warned that it would reconvene at the end of the ultimatum to assess government compliance and determine its next line of action.“In the event of failure by the Federal Government to meet these demands within the stipulated timeframe, the NEC shall not hesitate to resume the suspended strike without further notice,” it said.NARD urged its members nationwide to remain calm and united, while commending stakeholders for their intervention and calling for timely implementation of agreed resolutions.
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