This is coming as the Federal Government said that it had set aside N4.8bn as residency training fund for doctors.

At the end of its National Executive Council meeting held in Benin City, Edo State, the NMA and all its affiliates resolved to give the Federal Government 21-day notice to fully resolve all the issues contained in the various agreements signed with the doctors.

In a statement signed by the NMA President, Prof. Innocent Ujah; and Secretary General, Dr. Phillips Ekpe, the association said: “After due consideration, NEC has put the federal government on a 21-day notice to fully resolve all the issues contained in the various agreements signed with Affiliate members of the Nigerian Medical Association, including Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCAN), Medical and Dental Specialist Association in Basic Medical Sciences (MEDSABAMS) and National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).”

The statement further said that NMA fully supports all her affiliates in their efforts to improve the healthcare delivery in Nigeria and the Welfare of her members.

It added, “NEC affirms that no doctor shall be victimized for participating/not participating in the strike action by NARD.

“If the Federal Government fails to implement the agreements after the expiration of the 21- day notice, NMA shall summon an emergency delegate meeting to review the progress made on the implementation of the agreements.”

Meanwhile, the Federal Government said it has set aside N4.8 billion as a residency training fund for the striking resident doctors in the country.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, who disclosed this at the weekend during a meeting with the Chairman of the Forum Chairmen of Health Institutions in Nigeria, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, said that the leadership of the NARD gave the government an impossible condition before they would agree to sign the MOU reached the last conciliatory meeting.

He said the resident doctors wanted the government to exempt them from the application of Section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act that provides for ‘no work, no pay’ sanctions for striking workers.