Resident Doctors Suspend Planned Protest

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Wednesday, suspended their planned nationwide daily protest.

This was disclosed by NARD President, Emeka Orji in an interview with newsmen.

The suspension of the planned protest followed a closed-door meeting with principal officers of the senate on Tuesday.

Orji said the planned protest slated for Wednesday (today) has been suspended, adding that there will be an update “in the next 72 hours.”

“We met with the Senate President, majority and minority leaders and Whip today,” he said.

“The planned protest slated for Wednesday has been suspended and we will review again in 72 hours.”

Recall that the striking doctors had earlier planned to commence a daily peaceful protest, starting from Wednesday, if the government fails to meet their demands.

The decision followed the directive by the Nigerian government to the management of federal tertiary hospitals to commence the enforcement of the “no work, no pay” policy against the striking doctors.

This policy means that the doctors who continue to stay away from their duty posts will not receive their regular salaries while the strike lasts.

In a letter dated 1 August, the government instructed the hospitals to implement the ‘no work, no pay’ policy and keep an attendance register for resident doctors willing to continue working despite the strike.

The striking doctors, however, said they are unmoved by the decision, noting that the government has no moral justification for its action.

They said the protest had become necessary to press home their demands which they noted have been largely neglected by the government.

The association also accused the government of demonising doctors rather than making genuine and concerted efforts to resolve the challenges that led to the industrial action.

The doctors embarked on an indefinite industrial action on 26 July following the failure of the Nigerian government to meet their demands.

The doctors are demanding, among other issues, the immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), tangible steps on the “upward review” of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), and payment of all salary arrears owed its members since 2015.

In other news, Kanyi Daily reported that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has slammed the Niger Republic with more sanctions over the military coup in the restive West African nation.

Recall that the West Africa regional bloc had given the military junta who seized power on July 26th, seven days to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum or risk sanctions, including possible military action.