The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned nationwide strike earlier scheduled to commence on January 12, following fresh engagements with key stakeholders and assurances from the Federal Government.

The suspension was announced in a statement issued on Sunday by Shuaibu Ibrahim, the association’s Secretary-General.

NARD had previously declared the strike after its Emergency National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held on January 2. However, on January 9, the National Industrial Court (NIC) in Abuja granted an interim injunction restraining the association’s members from embarking on any form of strike or industrial action.

In the latest statement, Ibrahim said the decision to suspend the strike was taken at another E-NEC meeting held on Sunday, January 11, where the association reviewed the status of its demands and assessed progress made through ongoing engagements with relevant authorities.

According to him, the suspension followed firm commitments from critical stakeholders, facilitated by the intervention of Vice President Kashim Shettima.

“After reviewing the status of our demands and the progress made so far, and following firm commitments from critical stakeholders based on the intervention of the Vice President, the planned strike has been suspended,” the statement said.

NARD disclosed that the report of an earlier committee set up by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoH&SW) had been fully implemented. In addition, a new reconciliation committee comprising Chief Medical Directors (CMDs), the Ministry, and NARD has been constituted to ensure that all members remain at the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Lokoja, and to foster lasting peace between ARD FTH Lokoja and MDCAN FTH Lokoja.

The association also confirmed that verified nominal rolls have been forwarded to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). It added that the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FMoLE) has formally written to the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMoF), with attention to IPPIS, to facilitate payment, while NARD continues close monitoring to ensure prompt disbursement.

Furthermore, NARD said lists had been transmitted by the FMoH&SW to the Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office, noting that the Minister of State for Finance has acknowledged receipt, with discussions ongoing to secure a clear and expedited payment plan.

On the issue of entry-level placement, the association said the Director of Hospital Services at the FMoH&SW would communicate with chief executives of hospitals to reinforce a clarification issued by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), which affirms CONMESS 3 as the recognised entry level.

NARD said it would continue to engage relevant authorities to ensure full implementation of all agreements and sustained industrial harmony.