Proposed strike: Dogara summons Health Minister as doctors suspend action

NATIONAL Association of Resident Doctors of Nige­ria (NARD), has suspended its proposed strike, sched­uled to commence today.

A statement issued by Turaki Hassan, Special Adviser on Media to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, said the strike has been suspended for one week to allow the House intervene in the issues be­tween the association and the Federal Government. Dogara met with NARD executives, led by its presi­dent Mohammed Askira, at the National Assembly.



The Speaker had assured the doctors that he would personally convene and preside over the meeting between him, the commit­tees on Health Services and Health Institutions and the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole.

Dogara, while explaining the need for his personal intervention on the matter, noted that democracy is centered on promoting the wellbeing of the citizens and appealed to the asso­ciation to understand that the country is presently go­ing through financial chal­lenges.

He said: “It doesn’t mat­ter what faith you profess, for instance, it is clearly stated in the Holy Bible that a labourer should be paid his wages even before his sweat dries.

“I can sit down with the chairmen of committees, some members of relevant committees, with your good selves and members of the ministry. So, they can bring these issues for us to understand why some­one would work for four to eight months and not be paid. What is the prob­lem? And then, we will at­tempt to address the issues together, and if it doesn’t work, we can’t stop you from venting your anger and expressing your griev­ances.

“I appeal to you to give us till next week, when, I hope, we will be able to invite them and we will sit down together and iron out the issues.”

Askira had informed the speaker that some mem­bers of the association had not been paid their salaries and other entitlements for several months.