The members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has cancelled their planned national protest which will commence on Wednesday and are also set to call off their two-weeks strike after a closed-door meeting with the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and other Principal Officers of the Senate, on Tuesday evening.
“Because of the intervention of the President of the Senate, who is the number three citizen and the assurance he has given us, our planned national protest has been cancelled while the decision on the ongoing strike would be taken as soon we meet,” NARD Boss said.
NARD embarked on an indefinite strike on July 26, 2023, following the expiration of a two-week ultimatum it issued to the Federal Government and they are also planning a Nationwide protest.
Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Dr. Emeka Innocent Orji, National President of the Resident Doctors Association, expressed hope for a positive outcome.
Orji said “We had a very fruitful meeting with the Senate led by its President and from our discussions with them, we are very hopeful that when we table our discussions today before the NEC, something positive would come out.
“From our interaction with the President of the Senate and the practical demonstration he did before us today, we are very confident that there would be light at the end of the tunnel in the next 24 hours.”
In his address, Akpabio said , “I thank you on behalf of the Senate for honouring us with your decision not only to cancel the planned public protest but to also call off the strike in the interest of the suffering masses.
“Your demands are well noted and let me assure you that as soon as a Minister in charge of Health is appointed, the Senate will work with him or her to expeditiously address all your grievances.
“The President Bola Tinubu-led administration is Doctors friendly and that explains the large number of medical practitioners he has appointed to his cabinet.
“Strike by medical practitioners should not be allowed even for a day because of the impacts it creates in the polity and that is why the Senate is determined to ensure through interactions and consultation with relevant offices, the amicable settlement of the impasse is reached.”